Out of The Box: Analogue Methods to Bridge the Digital Divide

A talk describing the design and research process in developing new methods of teaching the elderly how to use cellular phones. Instead of creating new products, this project is aimed at using existing and familiar systems, such as books, maps and cards to teach complex digital devices. Clara Gaggero and Adrian Westaway of Vitamins Design worked with The Royal College of Art’s Helen Hamlyn Center, and Samsung Design Europe to create three products which can teach absolutely anyone how to use a phone!

About Clara Gaggero

Clara Gaggero is an award‐winning designer, Co-founder and Creative Director of Vitamins, Inclusive Technology Research Associate at the Royal College of Art (Helen Hamlyn Centre), and Assistant Professor of Design and Innovation at Goldsmith College and Queen May University. She studied Industrial Design at the Politecnico (Institute of Technology) of Torino, specialising in industrial production and manufacturing process. In 2003, she moved to Berlin where she founded her own fashion label and worked in the furniture and interior design field before coming to London where she studied Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College and Industrial Design Engineering at the Royal College of Art.

After working for the prestigious Design Studio Ross Lovegrove and at the BBC Innovation Unit, Clara now runs her own design consultancy, Vitamins. Vitamins help technology companies to create products, services or experiences that are better for people. Clients for the consultancy include Samsung, RIM (BlackBerry) and Olympus, creating new unexpected innovation directions thanks to a close collaboration with the end users.

About Adrian Westaway

Adrian Westaway is a Designer, Inventor and Magician whose work aims to make technology invisible to create meaningful magical experiences that benefit people. He is Co-founder and Director of Vitamins, Royal Commission of 1851 Innovation Fellow, James Dyson Innovation Fellow, and regularly tutors at the Royal College of Art, Goldsmiths College and Queen Mary’s University London.

Adrian started learning magic at the age of 11, going on to study a Masters in Electronic Engineering at Bristol University. Joining the prestigious Innovation Design Engineering Masters programme at the Royal College of Art, London, Adrian succeeded in combining all of his interests and expertise, designing magical and astonishing solutions in a product design context. Adrian’s work ranges from product and user experience design through to performance. He has worked with large product design companies to small theatre groups, individuals and charities creating new engaging magical inventions.

Adrian recently finished a year-long research study with Samsung Design Europe and the Helen Hamyln Centre to create solutions for enabling older uses to engage with mobile technology. The project created Analogue solutions to Digital problems and has toured the world in the form of lectures and exhibitions.

He is currently bringing an interactive lighting product, Magic Light, to market, advising an inventing television series, and consulting on several large projects with the Vitamins Design group.