Comprehension

Problem Area: Product Design
Mobile phones have become quite popular as communication devices. Mobile phones do have great potential to address the special needs of the elderly.
Your task is to Design a new mobile phone for elderly.

Question: 1

Identify at least five distinct factors essential for designing mobile phone for the elderly. Write briefly in the space provided.

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When designing for the elderly, always prioritize:
{Visibility:} Use large fonts and high contrast screens for easy reading.
{Accessibility:} Keep the interface simple with minimal steps.
{Tactility:} Use physical buttons with feedback instead of full touchscreens.
{Audibility:} Ensure loud and clear speakers with adjustable volume.
{Safety:} Include emergency buttons and easy access to help.
Consider both physical (ergonomic) and emotional (comfort, familiarity) needs!

Updated On: Dec 3, 2025

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Solution and Explanation

Large Buttons: The phone features oversized, easy-to-press buttons that are well-spaced to prevent accidental presses and misdials, ensuring comfortable use even for those with limited dexterity or motor control.
High Contrast Display: The screen uses larger fonts combined with a high-contrast color scheme and bright backlighting to improve visibility, making it easier for users with low vision or age-related visual impairments to read text and navigate menus comfortably.
Emergency SOS Button: A prominently placed, dedicated one-touch emergency button provides immediate access to emergency services or pre-selected family contacts, offering peace of mind and quick assistance in urgent situations.
Loud and Clear Audio: The device is equipped with an amplified speaker system to produce louder and clearer sound, along with compatibility for hearing aids, helping users with hearing difficulties to communicate effectively without straining.
Simple User Interface: The user interface is designed to be minimalistic and straightforward, featuring a limited number of easily recognizable icons and simplified navigation steps. When possible, voice feedback is incorporated to guide the user through actions, enhancing accessibility for those with visual or cognitive challenges.

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Question: 2

Generate at least three concepts through pencil sketches based on the factors identified above. Present these pencil sketches along with brief notes (if necessary) in the space provided.

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Updated On: Dec 3, 2025

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Solution and Explanation

Concept 1: Flip Phone with Dedicated SOS Button
Big tactile keypad with backlight: The phone features a generously sized keypad with raised, well-spaced buttons that provide a satisfying tactile response for ease of use, especially for users with limited dexterity. The backlight ensures visibility in low-light conditions, making dialing easier and more accurate.
Large emergency button on the outer shell: A prominently placed, easy-to-press emergency button is integrated on the outer casing of the flip phone. This dedicated SOS button allows users to quickly alert emergency services or designated contacts with a single press, enhancing safety and peace of mind.
Secondary screen shows time and incoming call: The external secondary display provides essential information such as the current time and details of incoming calls, enabling users to stay informed without needing to open the phone. This screen offers convenience and quick access to notifications at a glance.

Concept 2: Bar Phone with Voice Assistant
Simple bar-shaped form: The phone features a sleek, straightforward bar-shaped design that is compact and easy to hold. Its minimalist form factor emphasizes practicality and durability, making it suitable for everyday use.
One-touch voice command button: Equipped with a dedicated, easily accessible button that activates the voice assistant instantly, allowing users to perform tasks, make calls, or send messages through simple voice commands, enhancing hands-free convenience.
Loudspeakers placed on top for better clarity: The loudspeakers are strategically positioned at the top of the phone, improving sound projection and clarity during calls and voice assistant interactions, ensuring users can hear responses clearly even in noisy environments.

Concept 3: Touchscreen + Physical Key Hybrid
Half-screen for video call / text: The device features a touchscreen that occupies half of the front surface, dedicated to displaying video calls, text messages, and other interactive content, providing a modern and intuitive user interface.
Half with large number pad and shortcuts: The other half is equipped with a physical keypad, including a large, easy-to-press number pad and customizable shortcut keys for quick access to frequently used functions, combining tactile feedback with digital convenience.
Visual icons + text labels for every action: Each physical key and on-screen button is accompanied by clear visual icons and descriptive text labels, making navigation straightforward and accessible, particularly for users who prefer explicit guidance.