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Abstract:

Design in all of its forms, from graphic and product design to industrial design and interactions, is next to a focus on aesthetics and functionality, putting more focus on becoming socially meaningful . One way that design is responding to this is by working with the growing need of the elderly population and specifically those with dementia. Central to this is the question on how to include the person with dementia their family and (in) formal caregivers in the design process. Designing for and together with persons with dementia poses challenges for design educators, designers and researchers as traditional (participatory) design approaches are sometimes not appropriate and may need adjustment. In this two day event we invite design educators , designers and researchers to get inspired to set up their own educational modules or projects. Next to that, we invite those who have experience in setting up design courses or research projects on designing for and together with persons with dementia to bring to the table their own failed and successful approaches. The event will focus on three central issues: (1) how to facilitate design education focusing on (participatory) designing for persons with dementia, (2) the challenge for design students, practitioners and researchers to involve persons with dementia in the design process, and, (3) reflections on the ways in which working with individuals with dementia impacts a designer's current and future way of working.