Ester Iacono

Today, the social inclusion concept embraces numerous aspects and contexts of everyday life. Inclusive Design, going far beyond the design of products/services, plays a crucial role in fostering the inclusion of individuals within society and improving their living conditions. Inclusive design, however, should ensure a more humane and conscious design process that does not limit its attention solely to artifacts’ usability requirements but allows for the inclusion and evaluation of the emotional effects associated with interacting with them. This aspect is particularly important in the case of products and environments aimed at vulnerable, elderly, or disabled people, which can induce a perception of threat and stigmatize their physical and mental condition. Therefore, this article presents the results of the Home Care Design for Parkinson’s Disease research project. Through the literature review, it was possible to analyze the contribution of technologies in generating pleasurable sensory experiences but, more importantly, to investigate the role of Emotional Design and Evidence-Based Design approach. They can play a role in resolving problems related to environmental, perceptual-sensory, and stress factors and, in some cases, slowing down the course of the disease and ensuring greater well-being. Therefore, the research work, developed through the application of Human-Centered Design methodologies, aims to: (1) define Design Guidelines to identify people with Parkinson’s disease needs and difficulties within the home context; (2) set up an analytical method that proposes future intervention scenarios to improve their quality of life and that of their families and caregivers, through the mapping of emotional indicators.

Made-in-Italy companies, capable of producing products of the highest quality and of imposing themselves on markets at the international level, have always strived to transfer into design innovation a non-reproducible cultural and productive heritage. A distinctive feature of a production system based on “know-how” is the strong connection between different companies within the same territory and the presence of excellent workmanship and established production traditions, impossible to recon- stitute in contexts other than the original one. Like many Italian regions, Tuscany is characterized by craft excellencies that have contributed significantly to the cultural and economic growth of the region. Many of these, however, fail, due to economic size and cultural background, to keep up to date with the ever-changing demands of a market that wants new products, access to new technologies and attention to sustainability and the life cycle of each product. On this basis, we outline the key role of design as a tool and driver for innova- tion, capable of guiding the company’s strategic choices, including in relation to the sustainability of products and processes. This paper presents the research project “Art, Design and Enterprise for New Young Talents” aimed at proposing and developing new training and production patterns and processes through the placement of young talents, designers and artists, within companies in the Tuscan territory. In fact, putting young creatives in contact with companies can help companies in the path of research and innovation and allows young artists to translate the theoretical framework acquired into a finalized design.

This study, conducted at the Meyer Children’s Hospital in Florence, addresses the challenges of neonatal care, with a particular focus on mechanical ventilation, an area with a high risk of errors. Despite advanced technologies, newborns are exposed to risks three times greater than adults due to the complexity of treatments and equipment used. One of the main issues identified is related to the use of lung ventilators, which can lead to human errors and physiological complications. The objective of the research was to improve both the well-being of the small patients and the working conditions of the medical staff. By applying Human-Centred Design methods, user needs and usability issues of existing ventilators were analysed. The analysis involved direct observations, interviews, and questionnaires to identify difficulties related to the digital interface and the organization of care phases. The results led to the design of the Andy ventilator, which stands out for its user-friendly interface, versatility, and ease of transport. Andy reduces risk factors by allowing continuous use without disconnecting the patient. This innovation not only enhances the safety and effectiveness of ventilatory assistance but has also been awarded the iF DESIGN TALENT AWARD 2022, highlighting the importance of ergonomics and user-centred design in the healthcare field.

Global population aging is one of the most critical factors in the coming decades (Eurostat, 2019). In Italy, the average age of residents, which was 32 in 1952, increased to 46.2 years at the beginning of 2022 (Istat, 2022). The overall effects of aging on the health and welfare system are considerable. Indeed, with ageing is associated with an increase in chronic pathological conditions, co-morbidities, or the inability to perform basic daily activities independently, and this leads to an increase in the care and assistance needs of the elderly. A distinctive factor of the new generation of elders is their approach to technologies, a factor that can greatly expand the pos- sibilities of access to care and assistance, communication and information services (Istat, 2019). To provide, as far as possible, the continuity of care and assistance people need, telemedicine services can ensure safe and efficient care pathways while main- taining a strong patient-physician relationship. This article presents the first results of the research conducted by the Laboratory of Ergonomics and Design (LED) of the Uni- versity of Florence as part of Spoke 3 of the project “THE - Tuscany Health Ecosystem” of the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan), funded by the Italian government with Next Generation EU funds - Mission 4 (Education and Research) - Component 2 “From Research to Enterprise”. The project involves the participation of 22 partners including universities, research centers and companies in the Tuscany Region, orga- nized in 10 Spokes. The goal is to develop guidelines for the design of interfaces and products for telemedicine services in digital diagnosis and therapy for neurode- generative diseases. This article will discuss the research questions, applied research methodology, results and future developments.

This volume explores the emotional and psycho-emotional dimension of the pediatric experience in healthcare settings, with a particular focus on the role and contributions of Emotional Design and the Human-Centred Design (HCD) approach. It presents a review of theories of emotions, studies in affective sciences, social and cognitive neuroscience, and contributions from research in design and cognitive psychology. The work analyzes the affectivity of children in the evaluation and design of positive user experiences, highlighting it as a key requirement to consider within the design process of hospital systems. It also examines the evaluation strategies and tools typical of Human-Centred Design (HCD), User Experience (UX), and Affective Evaluation Methods (AEM), which enable the measurement of emotions and the assessment of their implications in the care pathway. Understanding the affective responses of young patients when interacting with medical systems, products, and services constitutes the primary objective of this work, aiming to develop design strategies that integrate users’ emotional states within the iterative HCD approach. Through the Emotion Design Process, it is possible to analyze and interpret emotions within the hospital environment, translating them into more empathetic and targeted solutions to enhance the overall care experience. Targeted at designers, design students, and researchers, the book provides a theoretical and practical framework on the contribution of design to improving children’s care experiences. Supported by the Meyer University Hospital and enriched by dialogue with experts in psychology, ergonomics, and medicine, the volume proposes approaches, strategies, tools, and design hypotheses to evaluate the emotional impact on children and envision new intervention scenarios in healthcare settings.

In the context of the growing emphasis on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) within higher education, this study explores the current landscape of digital and traditional teaching methodologies in Design and Design-related programmes. Developed within the EDIDesK Erasmus+ project, the research presents a structured benchmarking of tools, toolkits, and pedagogical approaches with EDI potential or application. Drawing from a non-systematic literature review and a structured comparative analysis, three comprehensive databases were created to map existing resources: (1) Toolkits and methodologies, (2) Teaching methodologies and guidelines, and (3) Digital environments and tools. The results reveal a fragmented yet promising scenario where inclusive practices are often embedded within broader human-centred or universal design approaches. This article discusses the implications of such findings for the development of inclusive design education and outlines pathways for future integration and innovation.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms, whose prevalence is expected to increase exponentially in the coming decades, negatively impacting all healthcare systems. The disease follows a chronic course, leading to a progressive loss of autonomy and self-sufficiency, with a significant negative effect on the quality of life of the person with Parkinson’s (PwP) and their family unit. This research proposal aims to improve the quality of life of PwP and their caregivers through the development of two emotional virtual scenarios to be integrated into home-based interventions, designed to enhance well-being, foster positive emotions, and potentially reduce side effects and dependence on medication.

Modern neurophysiological techniques have significantly expanded our understanding of cortical dysfunctions underlying many neurological diseases. In pediatric contexts, conditions such as brain injuries, epilepsy, and stroke are increasingly prevalent and associated with high rates of mortality and disability. Continuous and non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG) is crucial for the diagnosis and management of acute brain injuries, as well as for monitoring critically ill patients. However, the use of EEG systems in children presents various challenges related to usability and device acceptability. Traditional recording systems require electrodes attached to the patient, limiting mobility and comfort. Although recent developments have led to portable, wireless, and flexible EEG devices, a key challenge remains finding a balance between comfort, aesthetics, recording efficiency, and adaptability to different operational contexts. The primary objective of this research was to investigate and develop innovative solutions to optimize brain activity monitoring in pediatric patients by analyzing current challenges, evaluating existing devices, and designing a new wearable device to improve the overall experience for both patients and medical staff. Conducted at the Meyer University Hospital (AOU Meyer) in Florence, the study applied Human-Centred Design (HCD) and User Experience (UX) principles to analyze human–medical device interactions. Thanks to a multidisciplinary team, workflow challenges in EEG monitoring were identified, and new innovation scenarios were explored. Field investigations, applying various HCD methodologies (direct observations, interviews, questionnaires, etc.), allowed for evaluating the effectiveness of current brain monitoring services and EEG devices, with a focus on usability and emotional impact. The collected data guided the assessment of critical issues and the definition of requirements for a new EEG device. Usability problems, bulkiness, excessive cabling, and discomfort for both patients and operators were identified. Current systems are often unattractive, generating anxiety and fear in patients. These insights led to the development of the Cosmo+ EEG System concept. Compared to existing commercial solutions, Cosmo+ enables personalized monitoring through three innovative, modular units that can be positioned on different scalp areas according to the international 10–20 system. The proposed device aims to advance wearable EEG technology, offering a more user-friendly and familiar system for end users. Features such as a modular system, visual feedback, dry electrodes, and connectivity to apps and external devices provide an innovative solution for brain activity monitoring, making the product versatile and easy to use both in clinical wards and at home. Cosmo+ has the potential to optimize workflow, reduce patient waiting times and ward overcrowding, prevent errors, and facilitate assembly. Its ergonomic design, color palette, and materials make the device less invasive, enhancing interaction and fostering comfort and calm in young patients. All these aspects represent a significant step forward in neurophysiology. The proposed system has potential applications across clinical, research, and monitoring contexts—not only in hospital wards but also at home—contributing to the advancement of neuroscience and the understanding of the human brain.

Hospital communication and wayfinding, especially in pediatric contexts, represent significant challenges today, with direct impacts on the quality of care. The complexity of hospital environments, combined with the emotional management of patients and families, can generate stress and delays in care processes. New technologies, such as mobile applications, offer innovative solutions to enhance the hospital user experience, making navigation more intuitive and efficient, and communication clearer and more personalized. However, adopting these technologies requires careful consideration of usability and the effectiveness of the orientation system, taking into account complex procedures and family dynamics. The integration of technological tools could significantly help reduce the sense of disorientation and frustration experienced by users in waiting rooms, anonymous wards, and maze-like corridors, thereby improving well-being and optimizing operational efficiency in healthcare facilities. This study, conducted at the Meyer University Hospital (AOU Meyer) in Florence, investigated the role that communication design can play in supporting and enhancing the orientation of those navigating hospital spaces. While hospitals focus on physical well-being, they often overlook the high levels of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty induced by these environments. Therefore, the main objective was to provide an effective navigation service for the Medical Day Hospital, promoting autonomous orientation and optimizing the hospital user experience in terms of time and psycho-physical well-being. The research applied the theoretical and methodological tools of Ergonomics for Design and Human-Centred Design (HCD) to define practical design solutions for improving the orientation system. Following an initial phase of literature review and benchmarking on intra-hospital navigation systems, field investigations were conducted involving consultations with experts and healthcare professionals and the application of HCD tools (architectural surveys, field observations, semi-structured interviews, task analysis, scenarios, etc.) to understand user pathways, identify user needs, evaluate the current system’s critical issues, and define design requirements. The collected data enabled the development of intervention solutions that led to the concept of a mobile app, downloadable at the hospital entrance and linked to CUP 2.0 scheduling through a simple scan of the patient’s fiscal code. The app includes a digital map featuring the main reference points that users can locate directly within the architectural space and a dedicated area for appointment booking and management of the clinical dossier, including remote access. Furthermore, it offers dual navigation modes: a “parent” mode focused on efficiency in completing tasks in the shortest possible time, and a “child” mode that engages and empowers the patient through gamification, combining games and virtual reality adventures. Additionally, considering inclusion for users with sensory vulnerabilities and diverse cultural backgrounds, the app provides accessibility tools such as voice guides and language selection. The research highlighted the role that communication artifacts can play in pediatric hospital settings—not only in supporting and enhancing orientation but also in contributing to an environment that considers children’s cognitive and emotional needs, ultimately creating a space that is inclusive, welcoming, and efficient for all. Investing in such solutions can thus yield tangible benefits in terms of patient satisfaction, operational effectiveness, and overall well-being within healthcare facilities.

The theme of inclusion is a central aspect of the vision and mission of contemporary museums. The general objective of this work is the development and testing of a scientific and operational process for inclusive design in the context of free access to cultural heritage. The methodological approach and results of the research project “XAll – A Whole Different Guide” are presented from a critical perspective. The project was funded by the TIM Foundation, with partners including the University of Florence, the Politecnico di Milano, and three Florentine museums: Museo di Palazzo Vecchio, Museo Bardini, and Museo del Bargello. The project involved the creation of an interactive, customizable support tool integrated with the tangible context of the museum visit, aimed at enhancing the accessibility and inclusivity of the visitor experience.