Editorial. Design and Longevity: New Perspectives, and Challenges

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Published: Sep 15, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52611/bdi.num11.2024.1509
Keywords:
  • Longevity
  • Design
  • Well-being
  • Sustainability
  • Inclusive Environments
How to Cite
Soto, M., Lee, S.-H., Sarantou, M., & Melo Signerez, P. (2025). Editorial. Design and Longevity: New Perspectives, and Challenges. Base Diseño E Innovación, 9(11), 01–05. https://doi.org/10.52611/bdi.num11.2024.1509
Societal impact

Issue
Vol. 9 No. 11 (2025): Design and longevity: New perspectives, and challenges
Section
Editorial
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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Main Article Content

Mariluz Soto
Universidad del Desarrollo
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3389-822X
Sheng-Hung Lee
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8480-5823
Melanie Sarantou
Faculty of Design, Kyushu University
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2209-3191
Paula Melo Signerez
Delft University of Technology, TU Delft
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0885-8653

Abstract

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.

Article Details

Author Biographies

Mariluz Soto, Universidad del Desarrollo

Mariluz Soto is an Assistant Professor at Universidad del Desarrollo (Chile), director of the Center for Experience and Service Design, and member of the Service Design Research Group at the University of Lapland. Her research interests include service design, co-creation, emotions, community, and transdisciplinary exploration that opens new perspectives for design research and practice. She holds a Doctor of Arts in the Service Design Culture-Based programme from University of Lapland.  

Sheng-Hung Lee, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT

Sheng-Hung Lee is a designer and PhD researcher at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) AgeLab and Ideation Lab and Board Director at Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA). He is inspired by multiple domains of knowledge and perspectives while working at IDEO. Lee serves as Adjunct Associate Professor at Shih Chien University, Taiwan.

Melanie Sarantou, Faculty of Design, Kyushu University

Professor of Social Design at Kyushu University in Japan and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Lapland in Finland. She lectures and supervises in Social and Transformation Design at the Faculty of Design, Kyushu University. As a European Commission Research Fellow (Horizon 2020, grant 870621) in the AMASS project (2020-22), her research focused on the transformational potential of the arts in societies living on the margins of Europe.

Paula Melo Signerez, Delft University of Technology, TU Delft

Paula Melo Signerez is a Doctoral Researcher in Industrial Design Engineering at Delft University of Technology, focusing on service and participatory design in healthcare technologies. Her research explores how participatory methods can improve collaboration and integration of digital tools in healthcare settings. She examines the role of co-creation in making healthcare services more inclusive and responsive. Her interests include care, well-being, and design across the life course, from childhood to aging.

References

Andreoletti, C., Leszczynski, J. P., & Disch, W. B. (2015). Gender, race,and age: The content of compound stereotypes across the life span.International Journal of Aging and Hu

Cook J. (2011)The socioeconomic contribution of older people in the UK. Working Older People.;15(4):141–6 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/13663661111191257

Design Led Innovations for Active Ageing. (2016). Making ageing better. A look at how service design can innovate senior care.

Manzini, E. (2015). Design, when everybody designs: An introduction to design for social innovation. MIT Press.

United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2020). World Population. Ageing 2020 Highlights: Living arrangements of older persons (ST/ESA/SER.A/451).