COP3 Final Evaluation

The research for this essay question considered the important factors of hospital design for young children. Primary research was a vital tool in understanding the topic in more detail, applying what was learnt

The perspective of a young audience was limited as there was little information on such a niche topic. This observation was met with other perspectives being considered such as medical professionals

With more time efficiency I would like to be able to gather more research on the effectiveness of the final created outcome for the intended audience.

I was happy with the number of different perspectives I was able to gather a variety of information about the process of design within a medical space, the benefit of these considerations by medical professionals as well as. 

The main consideration of the essay was to understand what makes an effective design in a medical space this has been achieved through the variety of research considered with visual observations and the analysis of diverse outcomes in what makes them effective.

If I could do anything differently it would be within the design itself and the consideration of applying more natural imagery into the design, as well as considering colour in more depth. 

COP3 Research

Nature, wellbeing and medical environments


This research goes towards understanding what affects hospitals aesthetic choices and questioning the existing themes of many designs and why this is.


The use of nature in an environment has been proven to be beneficial towards our health specifically reducing feelings of anxiety as well as the perception of pain according to interior designer Oliver Heath.

Dr. Fisher of Western General Hospital claims that generally regarding patients within a medical environment there often should be a connection with nature in this instance.

“A view to the outdoors and of nature is very important to healing”

Examples of nature being represented in a medical space

StudioTordBoontje - uses nature and detail to be interactive indirectly but is also suitable for different audiences, it doesn't have an obvious audience which makes it inclusive.

COP3 Practical - Development

Sketches for practical outcome 

These images were drawn under the idea being friendly and approachable for children.

Using characters is a way for children to feel familiar with an environment by utilising this idea there is then a 

The round edges of the work has been considered in order to avoid sharp images, which could prove to be intimidating in their deminer 

Further development - more refined outcome 

Keeping with the theme of being friendly. 

Colour experimentation 

Using a previously successful colour choice to consider the validity of using a limited colour palette.

Although considering this palette is valid, the simplicity in the appearance of the work doesn't allow much 


NHS colours

Can these colours be implemented? However, using these colours could prove to be difficult in the fact that they are used within other elements such as wayfinding or this could be used to an advantage and having an animal associated with a certain location. 



The colours have been applied to the original animal design. 

The medium these designs will be applied in has affected the ways in which their colours can be used.

The colours for the animals aren't accurate which is an issue, the purpose of the work is also to be informative, there should be as much accuracy as possible, especially when the other mediums rely on colour in the printed outcome. 

Final colour choices

Considering vinyl colour choices and adapting to them, this was not always easy to apply to but it was affective 

COP 3 Practical - Final outcome & Feedback

Design applied in different areas to see the effect of them individually.

They were applied in a variety of areas to see if they were effective from a distance.

Decals applied as a collective

Theme placing the animals is subjective to what environment they are being placed in, allowing an individual space to decide on what they would want the placement to be and whether they would want the work to be in a reception area or maybe in a treatment room?  

Colouring booklet design 

The creation of both of these materials allows the viewer to be stimulated visually, being able to interact with the environment, although not directly is able to comprehend the colours and shapes presented and replicate them, setting almost an unspoken challenge.

The books were printed as cheaply as possible in the consideration for the distribution of them. The stock is thin but is effective when pen or paper is applied. The blank pages also act as a buffer as younger children like to doodle which also makes the work seem a lot more informal. 

With more time it would have been effective to possibly explore more activities within the book and also maybe explore more themes and correlate them with the structure of the building.

Final feedback

Do you think the work is effective in being interactive?

"Yes, however, I think the scale of the work maybe be an issue like it getting lost or maybe not being noticeable? depending on where it would be placed?"

"Yes, I think that children would really like this, I would maybe say that there should be more added to the work? such as more nature like flowers and trees? just so there is more to look at and maybe make the environment more pleasant"

"I think with more designs this could be a lot more effective, however, I think that it is nice that the work is simple and easy to understand"

Do you think the design of the work is effective overall such as in appearance and application into the environment? 

"Yes I think it is, it appeals to a range of children's ages which is really good to consider especially when something is in the public eye"

"I think there could have been more thought of the location of the work? such as considering an actual medical environment to give more context and realism to the final outcome."

"I think the use of colours is really good and stands out really well, its noticeable from a distance and the simplicity of the colours and shapes makes it appealing, I can imagine children liking this and wanting to look at it more"

"The colouring book is really unique! I like the idea and I think with even more animals and games it could be a great way for hospitals to create an engaging environment" 

If you could change anything about this project what would it be? 

"I would add more animals or some trees, it is a nice design but it would be nice for it to be more immersive"

"I would have made the front cover of the book a bit more interesting to catch children's attention such as bubble writing they could colour in? or something they could fill in for it to be more personal and individual for each reader? such as a space to put their name maybe?"

COP3 Research practical - Medium research

 Researching into mediums and which would be the most cost-effective but still consider aesthetic and create a positive impact without compromising the stylization of the work. 

Paint 

Although paint is an effective way into using detail for mural work there are limitations within what it can do and how it is applied.

Paint allows detail however in this instance the work will be simple in its style so this won't be needed.
If the considered design is meant to be used widely across hospitals there would be a difficulty in achieving the same colours without specified requirements or already existing simple colours.

Leeds Art Museum using paint on the walls to make a colourful space which it previously wasn't 

Stencil (Spraypainting) 

The issue with this is that there is a limit to what can be created.


Vinyl 

This medium is very low in cost which is important to consider in the amount that would need to be printed, it's easy to apply and remove, the designs can adapt to an environment as they are able to be moved, unlike paint or spray paint. 

It can also be quickly applied which might be necessary when in a busy environment like a hospital. 

Leeds Children's Hospital

Leeds Arts University vinyl

Vinyl can also be printed in size, there is a limit in the size in how the work can be applied which could be an issue as paint can be unlimited in its scale as well as spray paint, however, vinyl is much more efficient.

Vinyl seems to be the most valid way of applying the chosen designs within meeting the created criteria for this brief.

COP3 Development - Book idea

Idea 1 - Following feedback 

Exploring the idea of using a book as a valid way of incorporating sensory stimulation, bright colours, activity etc.

Page 1 
Encouraging a child to interact with their environment and also learn about colour.

Page 2

Encourage the reader to be active in the environment and be visually stimulated and interested.

Page 3 
Positive affirmation for the reader

The benefit of this idea 

It encourages activity simplicity of the shapes allows there to be easy use if it was to be used across various medical environments, there wouldn't need to be much consideration of the placement allowing for it to be easier to put into place.

The disadvantages of this idea

Having friendly characters and positive emotions are vital to the creation of work for children, also the lack of connection to nature is something that has previously been considered and seen the positive effects of, to not include it would be detrimental to the outcome in trying to be as effective as possible. Also could possibly be an issue for children that are differently able and cannot walk or move this is a valid concern when considering a medical environment making it not very inclusive.

Feedback from this idea 

Consider the cost - printed in colour, is there a way that interactivity can be achieved in an even more cost-effective way? 

• Look at how the production can be resolved and be cheaper 
• Make more inclusive for ages and abilities also the issue of space and moving around a space could be difficult in the variety of space that could be an issue.

COP3 - Colour considerations

Valid information in regards to colour: 

The validity of the colour white...

Before exploring bright colours there should be a consideration of environment and the purpose it serves in a medical space, therefor it can be considered alongside other colours.

The contrast of white is important in a medical context both to serve as a way of noticing any infection or injury for a patient, as well as considering the most important consideration of colour medically speaking is consistency within a space, using variation of a shade can be be confusing therefore sticking to bold and distinguishable colours if the most appropriate way to bring clarity to a space.

Colours approved and used by the NHS 

NHS Guidelines (Colour and light)

NHS colour and light guidelines go  by these three areas

These areas should be considered when approaching colour

• Circulation
• Care
• General areas

Medical perspective

• Avoid dull colours 
• Using a soft color palette and materials to increase peacefulness”.

• Consider the colours and how they can be applied in a space
• What are the restrictions within using these colours within a style
• Also consider aethetic and the appropriatness of the colours being considered and the meaning 

behind them. 













Although these colours have been approved by the NHS there is evidence to suggest that other colour palettes are valid within exploring such as: 

“Chelsea Children’s Hospital is the latest London hospital to act on the findings of research into the positive effects of art in healthcare environments and the clinical effects of colour.





The main goal of the project’s outcome was to create a much more welcoming, friendly, and colourful space

Using a limited colour allows for more creativity as no one two characters can be the same.

Thomas Matthews states that the concept for the work was born out of research into patient experience in each of the wards.

The most important thing for the project was avoiding kiddy type clichés and give the children something they could relate to without partonising them.

It's worth to note the colour choices of the project as the basis for the positive emotions was able to be created in the work and the choices of colour palettes.


The environment varies the colour palettes but keeps to using 5 colours, making it consistent but also interesting to each section of the environment.

Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court



A conside and use of colour

“colour coded with a pleasing pastel or a primary hue”

In order to be appropriate for a child friendly audience the icons within the environment used a a star, a snowflake, a cloud the outcome was rendered in a loose childlike manner in order for it to be appropriate”

Most if not all the colour choices observed use primary colours or at least shades of tone of such, using bright colours is stimulating as well as visually appealing but also stands out in such an environment that is so plain but also confusing.