Ageing and making: a positive framing for human-computer interaction

Abstract

Making is a generative and creative process that can be engaging and empowering. Craft groups and making communities have grown in popularity for the ageing population, both to pursue traditional making activities like knitting as well as to explore making through emerging interactive technologies. However, there is yet to be an overview of how older people engage in making. This paper seeks to map the landscape of making for older adults, in order to understand the characteristics and benefits of making for this demographic. We explore the literature on making and then use the lens of "positive ageing" to examine the benefits and challenges of making for health, security and participation of older people. We conclude by discussing opportunities for design and highlight avenues for future HCI research into supporting making for older adults.