Guiding Older Adults in the Transition from Work to Retirement using Art as a Tool for Reflection
J.S.M.M. Wagemakers (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
A.J.C. van der Helm – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Human Technology Relations)
C.P.J.M. Kroon – Mentor (TU Delft - Design for Sustainability)
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Abstract
This graduation project, Connecting the Rijksmuseum with Older Adults in Transition from Work to Retirement, explores how the museum can foster lasting engagement with people approaching retirement by supporting reflection, purpose, and connection through art. Conducted within the MSc Design for Interaction at TU Delft and in collaboration with the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the project follows a human-centred and context-driven design process.
The research unfolds across five phases. In the Discover phase, the context of ageing, purpose, and retirement was examined through literature, a survey, and interviews with future retirees and professionals who use art in guidance and transformation. Findings showed that while many older adults look toward retirement with curiosity and optimism, they often struggle to translate their professional identity into a renewed sense of purpose and structure. The emotional dimension of this transition is rarely addressed, leaving a gap between the formal end of work and the beginning of a self-defined new phase. Farewell rituals typically mark retirement as a single event rather than a gradual transition, offering closure but little space for reflection or reorientation.
In the Define phase, insights were synthesised into the design challenge: How might the Rijksmuseum support future retirees in meaningfully reflecting on their working life and rediscovering purpose through art? A corresponding design vision positioned art as a tool for reflection and emotional connection, bridging the personal and cultural dimensions of this life transition.
During the Design and Develop phases, an initial conceptual idea—the Retirement Experience—was shaped into the refined concept Uit de Verf. The concept unfolds through four sequential experiences: (1) receiving a tangible farewell gift from the employer, (2) engaging in digital, art-based reflections that guide the retiree to explore personal themes and values, (3) co-creating a personalised symbolic artwork that becomes a meaningful memento at the farewell moment, and (4) establishing an ongoing connection with the Rijksmuseum and a community of other retirees. Together, these steps turn a traditional farewell gesture into a reflective transition experience that blends personal meaning, artistic expression, and social belonging.
In the Deliver phase, research into implementation with employers, market potential, and the museum’s role was conducted. A user test with future retirees evaluated the emotional, reflective, and practical value of the concept. Results showed that Uit de Verf met the needs of all three main stakeholders: retirees experienced recognition and inspiration for their next life phase, employers found a meaningful way to honour employees, and the Rijksmuseum gained a new pathway to engage a currently underrepresented audience segment.
The project concludes that design can support social transitions by connecting cultural meaning with personal transformation. Uit de Verf strengthens the Rijksmuseum’s relationship with older adults by using art and reflection to guide the journey from work to retirement, helping individuals enter a new phase with awareness and purpose.