To support developing new playful product for older adults, this paper briefly reviewed a range of existing playful products, and describes how they could be strategically deconstructed and refactored from the perspective of the five interaction elements (person, purpose, means, contexts, and actions). A design framework combining case analogies and persona methods was proposed. The formalized design strategy of persona and case-based interaction elements analysis system that mainly considers two parts in the design process which are called ‘inspiration cases’ and ‘typical users’ in this paper. The strategy can be applied to the process of re-designing a specific class of playful products, such as tangible toys or digital games, for particular older adults.

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In the social background of population ageing, this paper addressed the issue of social isolation and loneliness. Reflecting on the current design for social connectedness. We advocate a positive perspective to older people and consider design as mediation for social connection. Practice cases and research show the potential of design mediation connection, however, there is a lack of summarized knowledge of how to design for mediation. This paper aims to answer the research question-How does design as mediation facilitate social connection? This question was answered from two aspects. One focused on the form or features as regards to the design as a result, the other is reflecting design as an ideating process. This research follows a Research through Design (RtD) approach. A design project was launched in a design course for design students. Research materials, including the design process and design outcome, were documented and reflected. As a result, the design elements for enhancing social connection was clarified and conceptualized. It includes five categories from abstract to concrete level, namely role, partnership, encounter, facility and trigger. Design strategies were also concluded according to the five elements. The paper also proposed an ideation process of designing for social connection by linking the design elements with the ideation activities. This research criticized viewing socializing as a functional activity and advocated a new perspective of design as mediation for social connection among older people. The results provided practice guidance and reference for designers in designing intervention for social connection.@en