Interview with Rie Nørregaard of Omhu

Omhu is an innovative company that celebrates good design because “it’s life-enhancing, and it’s fun.” By creating exciting choices for products to support people as they age, the company hopes to also help change the way people feel about aging and ability.

Creative Director Rie Nørregaard was kind enough to join us and shed some light on the ways that Omhu’s philosophy intersects with end-of-life needs.

Dana: Could you give our readers a basic description of what Omhu is?

Rie: Omhu is a company founded on the belief that life is both beautiful and imperfect. We make products that help people when they need assistance with everyday tasks such as walking, bathing and eating.

Dana: What are the overall goals of the company?

Rie: The goal is to change the way we think and feel about aging and disability. We do it by making products with great care. That means great care in the functionality and visual design — but also the material selection . Design is very overlooked so far in this category of products, so we have a lot of work to do.

Dana: How does Omhu interface terminal illness and the end-of-life?

Rie: We understand that our products are important to both the care-givers ( family, friends and professionals) and the user. So, one of the criteria for our products is that they should feel great to give to someone. And our products look and feel like they belong in a home and not an institution.

Dana: How do you think design interacts with the way that we experience life?

Rie: Design can show caring, respect, dignity, love and humor. Many people tell us that they would rather stay at home than be seen outside with a walker. And most people don’t get a bath chair until after they have a serious fall.

When we re-think and design the objects that help us live socially fulfilling lives and prevent injury, then we are changing the way we experience life.

Dana: How do you think design interacts with the way that we experience death (our own and the death of others)?

Rie: Just like aging and disability, we don’t like to dedicate too much design time to death. We do spend a lot of time and energy designing for the beginning of life — think about how much baby gear has evolved in the last 10 years. It’s great to imagine taking the same approach to end-of-life and death.

Dana: Finally, is there anything I haven’t mentioned that you would like SevenPonds readers to know?

Rie: Many times I’m asked if design is a luxury we can afford in healthcare. To me, design means to pay attention and create things that make a real difference — and that’s a pretty basic idea.

Thank you for joining us, Rie!