Interactive Design in Healthcare
In recent years, society has begun talking more openly about mental health. As a result, people are trying to be considerate of people’s mental health challenges in ways subtle and bold. Many interior designers, particularly those designing for healthcare interiors, are incorporating positive distractions to reduce patient anxiety. These “positive distractions” can be outdoor spaces, indoor gardens, playrooms, and art. According to Healthcare Design Magazine, designers do this by embracing underused spaces such as hallways, ceilings and elevator bays to create a welcoming, calming experience in an interior where many people are already anxious, stressed, or grieving.
According to the National Design Academy, “Anti-anxiety interior design is a holistic approach to designing spaces that prioritise the well-being and mental health of individuals. It involves the intentional use of specific design principles to create calming, stress-reducing environments. Anti-anxiety design also takes into consideration the impact of surroundings on emotional states, aiming to minimise anxiety triggers.” Some of the elements involved in designing to reduce anxiety are uncluttered spaces, soothing textures, calm colors, and biophilic design. It also involves incorporating quality artwork into a space.
Artwork and positive distractions are equally beneficial to caregivers too, not just patients. A study published by The Family Institute at Northwestern University showed that the well-being of caregivers is enhanced when they can access positive experiences. For caregivers, it is often challenging to take a break to go outside for long periods of time. Yet when positive elements such as art were in their environment, they benefited.
One designer using interactive design to create a positive outcome is Design Pool’s Kristen Dettoni. Dettoni designed an entire collection of patterns, The Cryptology Collection, inspired by the groundbreaking female codebreakers of WWII, particularly Elizebeth Smith Friedman. In this collection, there are coded messages hidden in the patterns. For example, pattern Message is a pattern of grasses and Queen Anne’s Lace, but the grass is actually Morse code spelling Elizebeth’s name. Other patterns, such as Letters, is bar code with the message “focus on the positive.” Pattern Dance uses a pie cypher to hide the message “good vibes and better times.”
Dettoni’s goal with this collection was to add a sense of fun and interactivity to pattern design. She wanted the patterns to be more than just decorative, but also had another layer of meaning and inject some secret positivity into healthcare interiors.
Dance Pattern
Message Pattern
KwickScreen’s products also help create anti-anxiety environments in healthcare settings. KwickScreen offers flexible, retractable screens that can be used to partition spaces quickly and effectively. These screens not only provide privacy but can also be customized with calming artwork and scenic images, serving as movable pieces of art that contribute to the overall tranquility of the space.
By incorporating KwickScreen’s products, healthcare interiors can be transformed into adaptable environments that cater to both patients' and caregivers' needs. The ability to quickly change the layout and atmosphere of a room helps reduce stress and improve patient outcomes. You can choose from a wide range of designs found in our image catalogue; from landscapes to interactive patterns from The Cryptology Collection, KwickScreens add an element of positive distraction that enhances the therapeutic environment.
Another way to unclutter a healthcare space is by replacing outdated curtains and blinds with KwickSwitch, a switchable privacy film. KwickSwitch allows nurses and other healthcare staff to manage a patient’s privacy needs more easily and flexibly. Seamlessly integrating the design with the environment can further enhance a healthcare space.
Through thoughtful design and innovative products like those from KwickScreen, healthcare interiors are evolving into spaces that not only address physical health but also support mental and emotional well-being.
KwickSwitch by KwickScreen
KwickScreen Duo with Message Pattern
Author Bios
Kristin Crane is the Director of Marketing & Communications for Design Pool, the only online pattern library created exclusively for interior designers. Based in Rhode Island, in the United States, she writes about textile design and digital printing for Design Pool.
Orlagh Flanagan is the Marketing & Communications Lead at KwickScreen, dedicated to giving every patient a hygienic space. Based in London, in the United Kingdom, she creates written and video content covering all things KwickScreen.