Summary
DESIGN IDEA 1: The idea of the Pulcinella Robot is really nice and touching, as Pulcinella is a very well-known figure in Neapolitan culture. Creating a robot with the same features as Pulcinella could bring back memories not only of the culture of their hometown but also personal life memories. Showing images of typical Neapolitan dishes could be a great sensory idea to help remember the ingredients of these dishes, thus triggering cognitive stimulation. Although this is a valid and original idea, I find it difficult to establish a connection with personal life memories related to Neapolitan culture.
DESIGN IDEA 2: The idea of “Festival In a Box” is the one I liked the most. The fact that the box contains objects and/or cards that allow you to celebrate a holiday like Carnival or Easter each month, or even simply photos with typical Neapolitan dishes associated with these holidays, is a unique and lovely way to keep the mind active. The part dedicated to caregivers further enhances the originality of this idea because it not only highlights fun but also the sharing of typical stories, which can lead to the sharing of personal life memories.
DESIGN IDEA 3: The "Taste of Italy" Memory Teacups This idea also has a lot of potential because, besides being original, it stimulates the sense of smell, which can trigger cognitive stimulation to help remember which category a particular scent belongs to. It can definitely be linked to Neapolitan culture, and from the scents, personal life memories can be unlocked. It could also be proposed as an activity in nursing homes for the elderly.
DESIGN IDEA 3: The "Taste of Italy" Memory Teacups This idea also has a lot of potential because, besides being original, it stimulates the sense of smell, which can trigger cognitive stimulation to help remember which category a particular scent belongs to. It can definitely be linked to Neapolitan culture, and from the scents, personal life memories can be unlocked. It could also be proposed as an activity in nursing homes for the elderly.
Hello! I hope you guys are doing well.
I came with 3 different design ideas for your brief. My ideas are mostly inspired by games and friendly activities that are used in therapy for the elderly with Alzheimers. Please find them below and let me know of your thoughts! 🙂
Design Idea 1:
I researched the character “Pulcinella”, which seemed to be a very popular character in your country and also popular with your elderly. I made some form explorations as you can see below and came up with a product called the ‘Pulcino’ Robot.
The Pulcino Robot is a friendly companion robot designed to support Italian seniors with Alzheimer’s by helping them stay connected to their culture and memories. Inspired by the Italian character Pulcinella, the robot has a gentle, approachable design with rounded features and a friendly “face” that smiles and interacts. Pulcino engages seniors through sensory activities, such as showing familiar images of Italy, playing traditional Italian songs, food games, and even releasing scents like basil or rosemary. Seniors can talk with Pulcino about family, memories, or everyday routines, while it assists with gentle reminders for activities and social interaction, making it a comforting and engaging presence in their day-to-day life.
Design Idea 2:
“Festival In a Box” is a monthly subscription kit/activity kit that brings traditional Italian festivals and celebrations to seniors’ homes, sparking memories and connecting them with Italian culture. Each box focuses on a specific Italian festival, like Carnevale or Pasqua (Easter), and includes items like small decorations, and cubes that have different characteristics like traditional Italian games, scents, music, etc. I was thinking of adding sensory items, such as sachets with familiar Italian scents, and an audio playlist with Italian folk music or festival sounds. Seniors and caregivers can explore the box together, decorating, listening, or tasting, making the experience both sensory-rich and memory-evoking. Each box is designed to be simple, joyful, and filled with Italian cultural elements.
Design Idea 3:
“Taste of Italy” Memory Teacups are ceramic teacups designed to bring back memories of Italian flavours and scents for seniors with Alzheimer’s. Each teacup has a unique Italian aroma, like espresso, oregano, or basil, which activates when hot water is poured in. The aroma is embedded in a detachable, scent-infused disc that sits at the bottom of the cup. As the water warms the disc, it gradually releases the fragrance, creating a comforting sensory experience. The cups can also be decorated with traditional Italian patterns and symbols, giving them a warm, nostalgic feel. This design combines taste, smell, and touch, allowing seniors to enjoy the familiar aromas of Italy in a relaxing, memory-rich experience.
I hope my explanations and sketches are clear. These are very basic ideas, but if you’d like any further explanation or refinement, please let us know! 🙂