Emily Zhang
I thrive on transforming complex challenges into meaningful design solutions. My time at Loughborough has strengthened my passion for creating products that combine technical detail with human experience.
I thrive on transforming complex challenges into meaningful design solutions. My time at Loughborough has strengthened my passion for creating products that combine technical detail with human experience.
This project explores how familiar objects can be designed to support people with dementia (PwD) at home. Inspired by the design of a vintage radio, it combines modern technology with a trusted form to provide gentle prompts and monitoring during cooking.
Dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK, and according to research, one in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime. As the population continues to age, the demand for dignified, safe, and accessible support for older adults is rapidly increasing. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3 calls for ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being at all ages, making ageing and age-related conditions such as dementia a global design challenge.
Testing combined bench trials, online surveys, and in-person user testing sessions to assess usability, technical performance, and social acceptance. This multidimensional approach ensured the system was validated not only as functional but also as familiar and approachable for users in a kitchen setting.
