FECUND
YEAR & TIMELINE
2015 | 3 months
CLIENT
Harborview Medical Center
ROLE
Illustration | Design
COLLABORATORS
Tory Franklin
TOOLS
Illustrator| Photoshop
MEDIUM
Vinyl on Windows
DIMENSIONS
6' x 74'
CHALLENGE
Harborview Medical Center wanted to address a problematic design issue–that exam rooms in an adjacent building were visible from this sky bridge which caused privacy issues. A vinyl window application obscures the view and enhances the patient and worker experience.
CONCEPT
Drawing from research on the therapeutic potential of nature-based imagery in healthcare environments, we chose plant motifs for their universal resonance and connection to healing. Designed to evoke the radiant quality of stained glass, the piece bathes the space in color and warm light. The artwork blends illustrations of plants from all major biomes with culturally resonant patterns, offering comfort and recognition to a multilingual, multicultural patient population.
AUDIENCE
The three main audiences that use this sky bridge are the inpatient psychiatric population, hospital workers, and students at this teaching hospital who often eat lunch in this quiet area lined with seating. While the patient population does not spend as much time in this space, they are a priority audience.
The patient population is diverse and speaks many languages. Harborview Medical Center mainly serves patients living in Washington but because it is a level 1 trauma and burn center, it also serves patients living in Alaska, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana.
RESEARCH
Creating a calming environment was especially important for the patients. Many studies have explored the use of natural imagery on patients in hospital settings. Our review of the research showed that images of nature reduce the heart rate and create a tranquil state. Natural fractals (symmetrical and ever-expanding designs found in nature) help us make order out of chaos, which creates a calming effect. This also benefits medical personnel who are often under job-related stress and can suffer burnout.
AREAS OF ACTIVATION
Hospital staff and students interact with this piece on a daily basis so Tory and I created a design that has many points of activation, creating a constant sense of discovery. The piece has a different visual impact whether the audience views it from down the hallway or sitting directly next to the textured patterns. The all over pattern effectively obscures the windows in the adjacent building.