Francesca Tosi

The research project presented in the article aims to provide an analytical overview of academic publications in the ICAR/13 field, using a data-driven methodology to analyse over 5,000 articles published in more than 850 journals from 1980 to the present day. The objective is to identify the main thematic areas of design research and trace their evolution over time, with a particular focus on gaps and future opportunities. The analysis reveals the importance of journal publications as a primary source for the dissemination of academic research and as a fundamental resource for the development of new trends. The theme of sources and resources emerges in two aspects: on the one hand, publications serve as essential resources for the supply of knowledge; on the other, they constitute the very product of research, representing the point of convergence between the production of new knowledge and its dissemination. The study concludes with a proposal for new strategies to improve the accessibility and visibility of academic publications in the field of design.

Hospital communication and wayfinding are crucial challenges, especially in paediatric contexts where orienting oneself in space and managing emotions is particularly difficult. The complexity of hospital environments and the ineffectiveness of orientation systems can cause cognitive stress and difficulties understanding, negatively influencing healthcare quality and operational efficiency. An effective wayfinding system must communicate clear messages, making the hospital space interpretable and familiar, using scientific approaches integrated into the architecture. Technologies such as mobile apps can improve orientation and personalize assistance, but a thorough evaluation of the usability and effectiveness of these systems is necessary. This article addresses the challenges of hospital-paediatric wayfinding by presenting a new mobile app that combines navigation, booking and entertainment. The study, conducted at the Meyer Children’s Hospital in Florence, made it possible to define the requirements of a new orientation system for the medical day hospital, improving autonomous orientation and optimizing the user experience. The proposed solution developed thanks to the application of the Human-Centred Design and User Experience approach, aims to reduce stress and improve hospital efficiency, transforming the wayfinding experience into an interactive and engaging process for paediatric patients and their parents.

The role of new technologies in promoting longevity is a complex and relevant issue. Gerontechnology, a field of research that combines the knowledge of gerontology with technological advances, is central to supporting ageing because it aims to improve prevention and care. Scientific literature and the latest data suggest that, in Italy, the difference in access to and use of technologies between the older and young populations is quite marked. In order to ensure that these technologies are acceptable, accessible and inclusive, it is crucial to know and consider the barriers (cognitive, physical and sensory limitations) that hinder their use by the older popu- lation. This paper explores how the Human-Centred Design approach, in particular the questionnaire, focus group, design workshop, and systematic literature review, facilitated the identification of such limitations and needs of the older population, using this information to develop design strategies for innovative and accessible gerontechnologies. Considering also Goal 3 of the 2030 Agenda, the challenge for the coming years is to design inclusive and win–win technologies to promote active and healthy ageing.

The research approach and the design of the proposed solutions are based on Human-Centred Design and Inclusive Design principles and the involvement of different user profiles, in particular associations of people with visual, hearing and motor disabilities, with whom design solutions have been developed that integrate the possibility of multisensory involvement of visitors and the development of a customisable visitor experience aimed at as wide an audience as possible.

The proposed solutions integrate multisensory stations, which offer the possibility of tactile reading of the works, verbal descriptions, and olfactory stimuli, with video guides created using a mobile application that can be customised according to different needs. The design solutions are accompanied by the creation of a platform for the dissemination and sharing of the project, divided into informative, documentary, instrumental and community sections.  The XALL project, funded by the TIM Foundation and carried out by the Ergonomics and Design Laboratory of the Department of Architecture of the University of Florence, with the participation of the Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering of the Politecnico di Milano, was developed with the Bargello Museum, the Palazzo Vecchio Museum and the Bardini Museum in Florence.  The associations ENS Ente Nazionale Sordi (National Deaf Association), UIC Unione Italiana Ciechi e Ipovedenti (Italian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired), HABILIA ONLUS Associazione di Paratetraplegici e altri disabili motori (Association of Paraplegics and other Motor Disabled People) participated in the project.

Modern neurophysiological techniques have expanded the under- standing of cortical dysfunctions in paediatric neurological diseases, such as brain injuries and epilepsy, which are associated with high rates of mortality and disability. Electroencephalography (EEG), a crucial method for diagnosing and monitoring critical patients, presents significant challenges in paediatric use due to usability and comfort issues associated with traditional systems. The research at the Meyer Children’s Hospital in Florence aimed to develop innovative solutions to optimise brain activity monitoring in paediatric patients. The interaction between the patient and the device was analysed using Human-Centred Design (HCD) and User Experience (UX) approaches. The investigation revealed critical issues in the current workflow, highlighting usability problems and discomfort caused by traditional EEG devices. These findings led to the design of the Cosmo+ EEG System, a modular device that offers personalised monitoring, providing a more user-friendly and less invasive experience. This device could improve workflow and patient satisfaction, representing a significant advancement in neurophysiology with potential clinical and research applications, including home use.