Author(s)

Gangqiang Zheng^*, Teng Dong, Yuwei Deng

School of Art and Design, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China.

As ageing in current society is gradually increasing, it is urgent to study product design for the elderly, exploring the theoretical system of elderly product design is of great significance. In order to guide product design from the perspective of theory, this paper forms a study on the theoretical model of special product design for elderly people. It explains the factors influencing special product design for the elderly. The similarities and differences between special product design for the elderly and barrier free design and universal design are analyzed with the use of the comparative analysis method; concept, nature and characteristics of special product design for the elderly are summarized. Basic principles of special product design for the elderly are summarized from function, form, ergonomics, structure, value and other aspects. The theoretical model of special product design for the elderly which includes “Influence factors analysis—design theory induction—test & evaluation” is established, which offers a reference to the development of special product design theory for the elderly.

Elderly People, Special Product, Design Principles, Theoretical Model

Zheng, G. , Dong, T. and Deng, Y. (2016) Theoretical Model of Special Product Design for the Elderly. Art and Design Review, 4, 1-7. doi: 10.4236/adr.2016.41001.