Ageism: The Mod Memphis Cane

How can you approach ageism through design?

Assistive devices are inherently sterile and unapproachable. Here I try to redesign a cane that communicates youthfulness and joy, along with capabilities of easy storage.

“Aging is not 'lost youth' but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”

-Betty Friedan

A conversation piece that invokes positive feedback and instills confidence in the user. More importantly, create an overall positive experience between the user, their device, and their interaction with other people. This will influence acceptance of aid of use and defuse negative stigma by changing perceptions about the status quo of using assistive devices.

Materials: Cherry wood, acrylic paint, wood glue, hanger bolt

Tools: Wood lathe, drill press, band saw