PROJECT
seness – A UX/UI Concept for Exergaming in Retirement Homes
TOPICS
UX, UI, Human-Centered Design, Interactive Product Concept, Prototyping
DURATION
Winter Semester 2021/2022 (approx. 4–5 months)
TOOLS
Adobe Illustrator, XD & After Effects
TEAM
Sarah Russ & Chiara Gambirasio
seness
Playful Health Support for the Elderly
about.
How can technology support elderly people (65+) in improving their cognitive and physical well-being — without overwhelming them?
In our Human Machine Interface course, we collaborated with Interaction Design students from York University in Toronto. Their early prototypes using light, sound, and motion inspired us to develop an interface tailored for care homes, combining motivation with accessibility.
solution.
We created seness – a digital exergaming system consisting of three main components:
TV app for seniors: Large, intuitive UI with clear voice instructions
Tablet app for caregivers: Game setup, session control, and progress tracking
Interactive LED tiles: Provide real-time feedback and track balance, coordination, and cognitive skills.
human-centered design.
We built detailed personas — including “Susan Sociable” and “Francis Forgetful” — to capture our target audience’s motivations and barriers. Knowing most seniors aren't comfortable with tech, we focused the interaction flow on caregivers, reducing friction and complexity.
process
Paper Prototyping: Created early sketches for both interfaces (senior & caregiver)
Wireframes & Clickable Prototype: Designed in Adobe XD and improved through peer feedback
Moodboards & UI Design: Focused on a friendly yet modern look — bold move: dark mode for seniors to create a sleek, non-childish aesthetic
Storyboard & Final Video: Planned each scene visually, then created a 2-minute project video using 3D animation and stock footage due to COVID restrictions
results.
seness demonstrates how inclusive interface design can empower elderly users and caregivers alike. By combining physical activity with digital tracking, we created a meaningful tool that encourages active aging in a dignified and engaging way.
Outcome:
Fully clickable prototype for both caregiver and senior interfaces
Final 2-minute project video showcasing concept, UI, and use case
Strong emphasis on simplicity, accessibility, and motivation for seniors
Design praised for its clear structure and friendly, non-childish aesthetic
