Paul Hothmer
Design ❷❶
Diplom Theorie

Inklusion als Gestal­tungsaufgabe

Verständnisbildung im Prozess und Gebrauch

Public perceptions of diversity in society are in transition as a result of the topics of migration, ageing, and equality being under discussion. Design that is sensitive to diversity addresses this change by avoiding exclusion and aiming for comprehensibility and accessibility instead. Design shapes environmental conditions, thereby significantly influencing interpersonal action and understanding. As an ongoing process, inclusion does not have a definitive solution as its goal. Rather, it strives for a sensitivity to problems, from which approaches to solutions can be formulated, tested, and further developed.

Through a participatory design process that includes the overlapping of perspectives, an inclusive understanding can emerge among the participants. The products, in turn, can prompt a similar examination of individual application in their social scope. Design potential lies in the mediation between collectively aspired behaviour and individual interest. An inclusive approach to design does not mean a specific broadening of competences, but rather that designers employ their responsibilty towards enabling users with different preconditions to participate. In this way, action is made possible that is relevant to others and therefore promotes interpersonal relationships.

Produktsprache
Prof. Dr. Thilo Schwer
Diplom Praxis

Cary

The work addresses the influence of demographic change on the needs of various age and social groups in day-to-day activities. A central theme of the design concerns how to climb a staircase in different situations and with individual resources. CARY is a new type of stair lift: it provides support as a climbing aid, assists in the transport of loads and, as a passenger lift, enables people to climb the stairs in an upright position. The design is a break from the image of existing solutions and does not expressly offer or deny support to anyone. CARY makes places with stairs more accessible to different groups of people in various situations. Its universal approach means that CARY, unlike other assistance systems, can achieve wider acceptance if implemented early. The modular guidance system can be individually adapted to the form and nature of the existing staircase, thus supporting local modernisation according to today’s demands.

Integrierendes Design
Prof. Peter Eckart