Designing Smart Solutions for Vulnerable Users: Products, Services, Processes and Methodologies

This book explores innovative design approaches in healthcare and wellbeing. It brings together research and practical applications that showcase how modern design principles can transform the lives of individuals with motor or cognitive impairments. Through multidisciplinary perspectives, it examines the critical role of smart solutions in enhancing autonomy, giving individuals their independence, and improving quality of life for vulnerable people.Readers will discover theoretical frameworks and real-world case studies that reveal the power of Human-Centered Design, User-Centered Design, and Inclusive Design principles. The book combines contemporary technologies with proven design methodologies, offering practical insights into developing targeted solutions that address specific user needs for the most vulnerable in society. It bridges the gap between theory and application and provides invaluable guidance for creating sustainable, effective healthcare solutions that truly make a difference in people's lives. Highly practical in its approach, readers will receive actionable insights to enhance their understanding and practice, leading to better and more effective results in the workplace.Designing Smart Solutions for Vulnerable Users: Products, Services, Processes and Methodologies is an essential resource for professionals committed to advancing healthcare design and implementation, including human factors workers, biomedical engineers, software developers, industrial designers and healthcare practitioners.

About the Author

Silvia Imbesi is a freelance architect and designer based in Italy. She holds a Master's in Architecture, a Bachelor's in Industrial Design, and a Ph.D. in Inclusive Design from the University of Ferrara, Italy. Since 2012, she has also served as a Temporary Professor and Research Fellow at the University of Ferrara, Italy, focusing on human-centered methodologies, inclusive design of IoT-based devices, Smart mHealth systems, design for the elderly, and design for health and wellbeing. Dr. Imbesi is an invited speaker at international conferences and has authored over 40 scientific publications on innovative care solutions for fragile users and special populations.

Alessia Buffagni is Assistant Professor in Product Design at Iuav University of Venice, Italy, where she leads the MEDLAB – Medical Design Laboratory. Dr. Buffagni holds a Bachelor's in Industrial Design, a Master's in Product Design, and a Ph.D. 'Doctor Europaeus' in Design Science. Her research focuses on health product design, including assistive wearables, smart clothing, and solutions for ageing and vulnerable users. Dr. Buffagni collaborates with academic and industry partners on medical devices, telemedicine products, and homecare solutions. She is a member of several international research groups and serves as CTO and co-founder of WEARTECH Srl, an Iuav University spin-off specializing in wearable technologies for health, wellbeing, and sports.

Martina Frausin is Assistant Professor and Researcher in Product Design at Università Iuav di Venezia, Italy. Dr. Frausin received her Ph.D. in Design Sciences from Università Iuav di Venezia in 2022, focusing on telemedical product design and care system transformation. Her research explores medical design, telemedicine, homecare technologies, wearable devices, and human-centred healthcare innovation. Dr. Frausin is a member of MEDLAB, Futuro Continuo research center, USERLAB, and several international working groups. Her work investigates design's role in health and wellbeing, active ageing, women-centred design, and design for emergencies. Dr. Frausin is CEO and co-founder of Weartech srl, an academic spin-off focused on wearable technologies for health, wellbeing, and sport.

Angela Giambattista is Assistant Professor at the Department of Planning, Design, and Technology of Architecture at Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. Dr. Giambattista holds a Ph.D. in Design and Innovation from the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," a Master's in Product Design, and a Bachelor's in Industrial Design from Sapienza University of Rome. Her research focuses on Product and Service Design, Design-Driven Innovation, and User Experience Design in medical and healthcare contexts. Dr. Giambattista coordinates the Cumulus international working group "DHEA: Design for Health, Ageing, and Well-being" and leads the SID Bottom-up Working Group DHeS. She has served as scientific coordinator for major international conferences and actively contributes to teaching and supervising theses.