Application of social design in a local experience oriented to the improvement of public policies on population aging, valparaíso-chile [aplicación del diseño social en una experiencia local orientada al mejoramiento de políticas públicas de envejecimient

Global and local population aging is a reality that challenges all disciplines including design. The Valparaiso Region has the highest proportion of people ≥ 60 years of age or Older Adults (OA) in the country. Among the problem-situations faced by this population group, especially those who are in a social environment with multiple deficiencies and vulnerabilities, is malnutrition. Chile has a complementary feeding program oriented to the OA. However, it has not yielded the expected results. This article describes and analyzes a design experience carried out in Valparaiso in the context of a social project that seeks to improve the effectiveness of the public feeding program. Methodologically, the experience consisted of the participatory design of a system of healthy food preparations for self-sufficient older adults, considering, on the one hand, the socio-demographic, health, habits and food preferences characterization of a group of selfsufficient older adults and, on the other hand, the development of participatory design workshops to collaboratively build the communication system of the project: brand and food label. In addition, food preparations were delivered to be tasted and valued by the OAs for three months. Participation was voluntary with the signing of an informed consent form. Results: the positive attributes of the brand and labels most highlighted by the OAs are the following: the novel design, the name, the drawings, the eye-catching colors; in addition, the aspects that should be adjusted, from the perspective of the OAs, are: larger and clearer letters. From the analysis of the experience, three critical factors for this level of social design are identified: 1) The role of the designer in a "social model" of professional intervention; 2) the role of the user-participant in the co-design process; and 3) the role of design in the social context.