“Care” according to Heidegger is the fundamental structure of existence and the totality of determinations of being of Dasein (which is the being-there is both being with). Care is the expression of the relationship between man and others and can be inauthentic or authentic. Inauthentic care takes care away from others by directly providing them with what they need; it is therefore directed towards objects more than towards men. Authentic care, on the other hand, helps others to take on their own care and therefore to be free to realize their own being; it is an expression of “coexisting”. According to Heidegger, therefore, authentic care is a care that concerns people and that allows people to possess the tools to be-there. This difference, apparently subtle but very profound, offers an interesting ground for reflection in the field of design and on the role that the designer can assume in this context. Can design tools, methods and processes be exploited to take care of others in the Heideggerian sense of the term? This contribution wants to offer an example of taking care of the elderly through the tools of design. The research presented is part of the field of animated communication design and has as its objective the construction of a series of strategies to be offered to the designer in order to produce inclusive animated artifacts towards the older segment of the population. Through the presentation of three case studies carried out following these strategies, it will be clear how creating an inclusive animated product towards seniors is more inclusive also for all the other users. The taking care of the elderly by design not only makes sense from the point of view of wanting to reach as wide an audience as possible, but it also assumes an ethical imperative. The digital technology universe can offer a wealth of information, empowerment, and potential; it is therefore not possible to deny this possibility to a large part of society.
Taking care of the elderly through the tools of animated communication design: a useful and ethical imperative
Giulia Panadisi
2023-01-01
Abstract
“Care” according to Heidegger is the fundamental structure of existence and the totality of determinations of being of Dasein (which is the being-there is both being with). Care is the expression of the relationship between man and others and can be inauthentic or authentic. Inauthentic care takes care away from others by directly providing them with what they need; it is therefore directed towards objects more than towards men. Authentic care, on the other hand, helps others to take on their own care and therefore to be free to realize their own being; it is an expression of “coexisting”. According to Heidegger, therefore, authentic care is a care that concerns people and that allows people to possess the tools to be-there. This difference, apparently subtle but very profound, offers an interesting ground for reflection in the field of design and on the role that the designer can assume in this context. Can design tools, methods and processes be exploited to take care of others in the Heideggerian sense of the term? This contribution wants to offer an example of taking care of the elderly through the tools of design. The research presented is part of the field of animated communication design and has as its objective the construction of a series of strategies to be offered to the designer in order to produce inclusive animated artifacts towards the older segment of the population. Through the presentation of three case studies carried out following these strategies, it will be clear how creating an inclusive animated product towards seniors is more inclusive also for all the other users. The taking care of the elderly by design not only makes sense from the point of view of wanting to reach as wide an audience as possible, but it also assumes an ethical imperative. The digital technology universe can offer a wealth of information, empowerment, and potential; it is therefore not possible to deny this possibility to a large part of society.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
