Logo for the Store for the Senior Citizens

This logo is showing the Devolution of humans with respect to age which is showing that the senior citizen is getting younger. This logo could motivate the senior citizens and empower them and make them feel better and stronger about themselves.
I Have also incorporated the colour coding that is used for the various sections of the store in this logo.

Senior Citizens Retail Store (Anukriti, Ayushya, Malavika and Nihar)

India has retail stores for all sorts of audiences. There are retail stores for middle class families, children, Women and even Animals. But there’s not a single store in India which caters to the needs of its senior citizens.

We i.e. Ayushya, Anukriti, Malavika and me Nihar are attempting to conceptualise the same. Our project includes building a model which will show the architecture of the store and to design a logo and the signage to give the store a unique identity. Once the store is ready, we intend to make advertisements and posters to promote our store. The store is hypothetical, yet a possible urban experiment. Seems a little ambitious in terms of facilities but it will work if put to test. Here, we are trying to take the daily grocery shopping, frequent pharmaceuticals visit and the occasional "socializing" part of the old age to another level. This store will be a different experience altogether.

Architecture – The compound consists of four simple square rooms with a brick wall finish with a tiled and sloped roof. The interiors have storage space along the walls and in the centre so as to have more walking space for the senior citizens. The roofs have panels of diffused glass with wooden frames fit on them so as to . The four square rooms are placed and the four corners of a square and the rooms are connected by open air pathways. The centre will have a park with many benches for the senior citizens for them to rest and socialise with other senior citizens who come to shop at the store. Around all of this will be a square compound wall which will open towards roads. We have tried to give the complex a modern look but have placed and set up the complex in an old fashioned way by having the concept of an ‘Aangan’ in the retail store. So in a way we are giving the senior citizens a modern feel of the architecture but we are placing it in a way in which they will be familiar with the set up and will feel comfortable with the surroundings.

Graphics – For now the form we have thought of will be rounded and will have shades of Red, Yellow and orange to give a feeling of warmth and friendliness and at the same time make them feel enthusiastic and healthy. Nothing concrete has been formed as yet for the identity but one logo has been made.

Walking stick

Initial iterations of the product (a,b,c)

a)

b)

c)

d)

The above is the final iteration for the product that we had to design.

I did some basic research and this was the most commonly used product by the elderly in the world. There are thousands of variations for a walking stick which made my idea a little more complicated to execute.

Later i realised that not too many elderly people walk out confidently in the evening/night mostly due to problems with the eyes. Poor vision, accompanied by slow movement due to redcued motor functions make them less confident and hence they are confined to their homes most of the time.

So i thought of a product that would enable them to go out later during the day, when there isnt so much light. A torch and a reflector would be merged in such a way so as to serve the normal functions of a walking stick and also have the advantage.

This design could be worked further to make it more ergonomic. Perhaps the placement of the torch could be different so as to not affect the handle.

A small note about something

Sometimes I wonder why grandparents can be so annoying. They want to know everything that’s happening. That attitude comes across as the not-so-appreciated “being nosey”.

I thought about it after a really infuriating incident that occurred not so long ago. My grandparents had ‘happened’ to see some of my photos on a social networking site. Yes, Facebook. I think they are some of the few who actually want to keep up with the times and stay connected.

Although I was infuriated by what happened I realised that all they want is their presence to be felt and they want to be a part of our lives no matter how busy our schedules are.They only want us to go visit them and they’d absolutely love if one asked them about their day or problems they’re facing. They feel neglected and ignored. I tell them that they’re not and that they are as important to me as my parents since they helped bring us up.

My brother and I used to live with them every weekend when we were young, and they used to help us out with homework, drop us off to our classes, buy us little treats on the way; basically they’re the ones who spoilt us.

This is probably common among most grandparent-grandchild relationship. I’ve observed that many of them buy you into spending time with them. They buy you little presents and goodies and just hope that you’ll be able to visit them more often.

Off late though, I haven’t had the same amount of time to spend with them. The little time I have to myself I like to spend it on doing things I want to do.

It’s not that I don’t want to spend any time with you, it’s just that I don’t have the same amount of time to spend. I realise I sound quite arrogant in my previous statement, but its true.

Thatha and Pati, still are a big part of my life and I can’t imagine my life without them.

Importance of routines for the elderly

Old age is referred to as the ‘second birth’ for human beings because this is when the period of dependency peaks. There is a general decline in self-esteem and a ‘zest for life’ once the person enters old age. The feeling of worthlessness arises as there is a lack of daily routines and one doesn’t know how to keep one self-occupied. The everyday chores of going to work, picking up their kids from school, extracurricular activities, social events etc. come to halt. As a result of which their motor coordination and muscle contraction deteriorate at a much faster rate than it would normally if they had still been working.

It can be observed in those who continue their work routine into their 80’s have their mental and physical capabilities in a much better state than in those who would have retired after 60

The aged are more prone to worry and anxiety, hence an idle mind has much more time to wallow in anxiety which might lead to a deterioration of health.

To keep their interest in life is essential; else they would withdraw into themselves and not be able to keep up with the advancement in lifestyle changes.