This talk presents the methodology of constructive design research, which has been used to develop the ‘Teletalker’ – a system to make online face-to-face interaction easier for older people. The Teletalker is an installation of two open ‘kiosks’ connecting two public places via live video and touch-activated audio. The Teletalker system is the researcher’s tool and vehicle to investigate the question on how to design online social interaction for older people. In comparison to other design approaches such as participatory design or inclusive design constructive design research emphasises the construction of the product, system, media or space. Consequently, the artefact and its placements, presentation and tangible experience become the key means in constructing knowledge. A constructive design researcher follows the steps similar to those used in Action Research: iteratively planning, acting (i.e. producing a prototype, concept, scenario), observing and reflecting whilst drawing from interdisciplinary knowledge. The talk reflects on the experience and knowledge gained so far employing constructive design research as a method. The researcher’s main aim with the Teletalker research is to initiate a discussion around the role and form of online social technologies developed for older people.