Improved nutrition and medical development make it possible: people are living longer lives. Virtually, the still-young 21st century is evolving into a secular century of centenarians. A growing percentage of the UK population will, hopefully, belong to an older, healthier, financially stable, and technologically sophisticated generation as we live longer, according to the London Design Museum. At the same time, the difficulties are growing. Jobs are being lost due to automation and digitalization, daily expenses are rising, and living conditions are changing as a result of pandemics and climatic problems. As a result, it will be necessary to radically change the traditional life stages of education, employment, and retirement.
From 24 February to 26 March, the London Design Museum will host the exhibition „Designing for our Future Selves”, which demonstrates how modern design “in a changing world can help people to live out their twilight years not only more independently, sustainably, and healthily, but also with joy and fulfilment.” It builds on the successful show “Future of Ageing” from the previous year, which highlighted how everyone is constantly ageing, regardless of their age. The “Design Age Institute” and its collaborators are now working on ten different design initiatives called “Designing for our Future Selves” with the goal of improving how we live and work as we age.
A part of the UK government’s Grand Challenge on an Ageing Society was the founding of the Design Age Institute in 2020. In order to solve the issues associated with an ageing society, it brings together designers, businesses, researchers, and communities. It seeks to use design’s ability to provide the goods and services people and communities need to remain active and joyful at any age.
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