The Balthazar Group partnered with CIID students to explore mutually beneficial exchange between different generations. The goal was to identify and understand opportunities for new intergenerational services, products, or experiences that interweave the needs and potentials of retired people with the needs and potential of younger adults.

Research Objective

Based on some initial conversations and explorations of the topic, we chose to focus our research on the question of how intergenerational relationships are maintained, and the motivations involved.

Research Methods & Tools

We applied a mix of different methods and tools to help us dig deeper into our research objective. Our primary methods of exploration were in-depth interviews with respondents in both generational target groups, as well as “experts” on the subject of intergenerational exchange. For this, we used a “relationship mapper” tool to elicit conversations about the respondents’ existing social circles.

We also conducted some guerrilla interviews at an event hosted by “Cycling without Age”, a non-profit organisation that brings together people from across different generations to learn more about how strangers from different generations can build a strong relationship.

Analysis, Synthesis

We collected all our research data and organised them into themes. From these themes, we began generating key insights which led to the design challenge which we set ourselves:

“How might we support 
people as they transition into retirement while maintaining their relevance?”

Brainstorm & Concept Generation

Together with the Balthazar group and the rest of the class, we ran a brainstorming session based on this design challenge and generated many ideas. We evolved these ideas into three distinct design concepts, which we shared back with one of our respondents in a co-creation exercise. Based on her input and feedback, we refined one of these three concepts into a service called “FutureWise”, which aims to support individuals in their transition into retired life.