Designing for wellbeing

The students started to explore the topic from the given starting point
but, as expected, ended up choosing alternative interests based on their
observations and empathic insights. They also learned that Kauniainen
is one of the most densely populated and geographically small cities in
Finland, which enabled travelling by foot. By getting to know the area,
people and the services provided, the students 3 noticed that although most
residents in Kauniainen get around by private car, many of the elderly
visitors of Villa Breda don’t drive. In addition to regular means of public
transportation they walk, take taxis, use a special public service line, use
Villa Breda’s own service line and get lifts from friends and family members.
To gain experiences of the existing means of transportation, the students
tried both service lines and talked with the seniors and the drivers.
They noticed that although the vehicles were somewhat designed for the
purpose (minibuses with low, flat floors to ease stepping in, and a wheelchair
lift) the vans didn’t play that big of a role in the service. Instead, the
driver had a significant role by being a personal contact person, helper or
even a friend. The downsides of the service included inadequate operation
times and lack of flexibility. During a co-design workshop an elderly
lady told the students how she was not able to participate in art classes
anymore because there was no suitable public transport running in the
evenings and she did not dare to walk due to the hilly and slippery terrain.
The students started to think how seniors could stay active if they could
not get to the activities. Accordingly, they focused their design problem
on supporting seniors’ independence by enhancing their mobility, and
developed a transportation concept, Ajo (page 61).
Another student team 4 built on their understanding that loneliness is
a reason for the high suicide rate among the elderly. The students decided
to focus on finding new relationships, since one of the major causes of
3 Student group: Ilmari Mansikkamäki, Tamara Amalia, Saana Tikkanen
4 Student group: Petri Junttila, Tuukka Kingelin, Varurt Rintanalert, Erdem Tutal
60 · Co-design with the public sector