COP3 - Research

Influential research

Relationship between graphic design and health both mental and physical

This research has been influential in exploring this topic further in contexts that exist and how they can be examined and be influential. 

Exploring current exhibitions relevant to the subject matter interest.  The exhibition “Can graphic design save your life?” explores the role in which graphic design plays in wellbeing both mentally and physically.

The exhibition's purpose is to further explore subliminal nature of various example and approaches within graphic design shapes our environment, our perception and education towards our own health etc.

As a tool design is a communication so to communicate issues of health is interesting to explore in various contexts.

Some of the examples given of the work included:

The exhibition is currently being held in London. Along with the exhibition is a book by GraphicDesign&. GraphicDesign& is a publishing house which provides publications which explore graphic design in relation with other topics which hold important value. 

DN&AD

"Graphic design is good for your health" when the question is asked someone how whether design can reduce aggression within A&E or anxiety with cancer patients, social good graphic design within two different projects surrounding this. 

Design geek (Katie Tregidden) examines how an environment can be considered within circumstance and how the effects of surroundings create a positive environment for patients, reducing violence and aggression in a stressful environment.

One of the first decisions that were made was 

Where information in care is lacking and how this can be better improved with the use of design in different mediums. 

The brief was set out by the design council to 'PearsonLloyd'  in order "to reduce violence, and aggression in hospitals" and was as open as that.  The result of the work was able to reduce agression and violence within this environment by 50% making it relevant to consider in its ability to reduce negative emotions in the choices of design.

"For some reason A&E is a space where people feel like they have the right to get angry and start shouting," said Lloyd. "We thought that by trying to calm the space down and take that away there would be less likelihood of violent incidents."

The amount of detail provided creates ease for patients within printed and interface design (shown below) Also the simplicity of the design creates ease for patients as they are able to access information they need in an accessible platform. Improved communication was able to be created in the simple design such as patient and staff conncetion and relationship. 

In the designs application designers (PearsonLloyd) were able to develo guidelines that enable the system to be implemented in any existingmedical environment. This was able to make positive designs within hosptials more effective and widespread in multiple environments.