Elder

Johan Viladrich’s ‘ELDER’ range consists of three objects for everyday use to present his holistic approach to design for the elderly: a knife, a shoehorn and a walker. The assumption that older people’s lifestyles are defined by severe physical restrictions gives design for this group a strong functional, medical emphasis. But it is stigmatising, and users derive less sensory joy and pride from these objects. That is why Johan is reintroducing an equal emphasis on aesthetics into his designs. After all, among this group are plenty of independent seniors who want products that allow them to live active and pleasurable lives long into old age.