Yes, design can keep people productive well beyond their years and financially support their efforts. Here’s an amazing example.
Saving A Town of Artisans
In Aspen, Colorado, summer of 1989 I heard from who I believe is a God of Design, Milton Glaser. He told a story of how he was asked by his designer friend Albert Alessi to join in helping him save a town of artisans in Italy. It ultimately worked and saved the town.
Here’s how Milton Glaser remembers it.
Dear Tuck,
You are referring to a town in Italy that was known for its woodworking facilities. Alberto Alessi became aware that there was a great shortage of business interest within the town’s capabilities. Consequently, redeveloped a series of wooden objects that could be manufactured and sold through Alessi’s network.
Among other designers, I made a series of kitchen items and children’s toys for the project.
Milton
Here’s what Albert Alessi sent to me..
Dear Tuck,
Yes in 1989 we re-started an old traditional manufacture of small wooden objects from Valle Strona (No), Italy: the name was Battista Piazza 1865, and the new logo designed by Milton Glaser was TWERGI.
The new company lasted for like 12-13 years since in 2001 we incorporated it into the catalogue of Alessi spa.
Bye, Alb
Creating Income For A New Community
Now imagine a community of older individuals going to work each day in a little facility. Together using whatever capacity of their talents to produce original, unique and hand made objects. One or two items with the cache of Chanel, Louis Vutton, or Burberry.
Here’s where well-known designers could make an enormous contribution designing such a product to be produced by these older individuals. Imagine designers like Jony Ive, Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang and others contributing to such an effort. It’s coming from Design Your Age. The intent of the output would be to produce income to help the community. The New Older making the new. Designing better experiences as you age.