Longevity is becoming a defining characteristic of contemporary societies, reshaping how the discipline of design creates products, services, and environments. As global life expectancy increases, there is a growing need to move beyond traditional age-focused approaches and embrace longevity as an opportunity for innovation. This special issue explores the intersections of design, longevity, and sustainability, examining how human-centered and systemic design approaches can enhance well-being, autonomy, and social participation. It shows the role of design in creating adaptable solutions that support individuals across different life stages, foster intergenerational connections, and promote sustainable practices. This issue aims to inspire new meaningful perspectives on how design can contribute to a more inclusive and resilient future, rethinking longevity as a dynamic and experience-rich phase of life. 

Guest Editors:

Mariluz Soto, Facultad de Diseño, Universidad del Desarrollo, Chile.
Sheng-Hung Lee, AgeLab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States.
Melanie Sarantou, Faculty of Design, Kyushu University, Japan.
Paula Melo Signerez, Faculty Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands.

Published: 2025-09-15