Through research, I found that many existing devices and services are too complex, which can limit independence. So my concept focuses on simplifying the experience while bringing back the joy of physical music – designing a music player that converts physical memorabilia, like photographs, into tangible memories through personalised playlists. 

The idea is that the user would put photographs into special frames, then place the frames into the music player. The player would recognise the specific frame and play songs that link to memories from the photographs, creating a musical experience that both the carer and the person with dementia can enjoy. 

My project aims to tackle a very human issue, so an important first step in the design process was speaking to as many people as possible, whether that be expert researchers, course mates with family members with dementia, or carers who work with dementia patients. I then developed my ideas through a mix of sketching and iterative prototyping, looking into dementia-friendly design and collecting insights around how people interact with familiar objects.  

One of the biggest challenges I faced was balancing simplicity with functionality – making the product easy enough for someone with dementia to use, while still keeping it meaningful and effective. I had to make the features basic, yet not infantile. To overcome this, I focused on designing something that feels respectful and age-appropriate, using familiar forms and more refined materials. I had to simplify the interaction without oversimplifying the user, and make sure the product supports independence while still feeling dignified and emotionally meaningful.