Product Packaging Evaluation Through the Eyes of Elderly People: Personas vs. Aging Suit vs. Virtual Reality Aging Simulation

In the content of Universal Design, various methods and techniques are used to allow designers to step into elderly users’ shoes to understand their specific characteristics and needs and design elderly-friendly products. Examples include the use of personas, aging suits and virtual reality aging simulation. However, there is no comparison that documents the advantages and disadvantages of each method. In the present study, the use of personas, aging suit and a virtual reality-based approach are compared in the evaluation stage of a product design process. According to the results, both the aging suit and the virtual reality aging simulation have important advantages compared to personas in terms of effectiveness. Virtual reality is advantageous in terms of helpfulness and embodiment of the designer, while aging suit precedes in terms of easiness to use.