TheAlloy is a design firm that specializes in inclusive and experience-led design. Over 20 years, they have completed over 500 projects focused on inclusive design and helped transform many organizations. TheAlloy uses empathy, research methods like interviews and role playing, and rapid prototyping to deeply understand user experiences. They have helped design accessible products for various audiences including older users. Notable projects include designing an accessible kettle, phone, and tablet computer. TheAlloy believes new technologies will enable more natural and system-oriented inclusive designs to help various groups.

1. TheAlloy : experience led design
BT: An Inclusive design journey
Gus Desbarats | Chairman The Alloy
British Design Innovation SE

2. TheAlloy way: experience led innovation
Converting deeper human insight into bettter action plans

3. The Alloy way: A track record of delivering results
Every day, many tens of millions of people,
have interaction experiences designed by TheAlloy
Every year businesses are transformed by TheAlloy
Design effectiveness awards
Strategic client partnerships
UK top five in Industrial Design

4. TheAlloy way: helping many kinds of organisation

5. Over 60s: the richest & fastest growing sector in developed nations
60 90

6. Over 60s: not what they used to be….

7. The inclusive challenge:
accessible experiences for all
zero compromise to aspirational image
(Kettlesense- Helen Hamlyn award winner)

8. BT: our inclusive inspiration
Over 500 projects
Our Innovation process lab
20 years of inclusive design

9. inclusive Job no.1 1991: an alloy of markets
Converse MK-1
“special needs, meets heavy users”
about 15 million of them..

10. Today: inclusive design leadership
Special needs devices
Mass market appeal

11. BT Freestyle 700 series: inclusive, in gfk top 5
BT Freestyle
“For me this is the most accessible
domestic phone I have seen”
Ian McCray
BBC Radio 4 – In Touch

12. Hub 2: Mass market portals must be inclusive

13. Inclusive = design for people “not like him”
the empathy challenge

14. TheAlloy way: creativity inspired by user empathy
Rapid simulation
1 to 1 interviews Role play Sketches / foam models More role play
Goals Refine goals
& repeat

15. TheAlloy way: experience mapping
First sight POS First use Routine use Extreme use

16. Opportunity: cool hearing augmentation
RNID Soundspace
combine in one device:
ambient amplification
voice communicator
music

17. Inc: legible not patronising
“You know what I really need? Its big text –
but I don’t want to be singled out or patronised.
I just make do with what I’ve got…”
aspirational & practical
BIG CLI
BIG Keys
easy open profile

18. T3 + Medion: next generation tablet (windows 7)

19. Extreme situations calling for similar solutions….
Extreme Use
‘babies & kids’ ‘older users’ ‘in the kitchen’

20. T3 – Medion: teazer
Design adds value shots
BT Graphite
Top 5 of all DECT phones

21. Around the corner: even better technology bricks
Faster processors
Faster comms links
Cheaper memory
Plastic Electronics

22. Intel
Social networking for elders

23. New designs will be systems as much as objects
RNIB – e-publishing
Product Planning across
Hardware
Software
Networks or 3g

24. New Sensors are enabling more natural interactions

25. New experiences will feel more like old ones..

26. Design adds value feel
Home care will more like personal fitness
BT Graphite
Top 5 of all DECT phones

27. Thank you
gus@thealloy.com