The lessons we learnt from prototyping Starship Outpatients.

We installed wayfinding prototypes in Starship Outpatients which has recently been refurbished. The department has a high number of different clinics running through this space on any given day. Due to this, there are a variety of patient journeys and processes. We needed to test our ideas to see what would work best to try streamline patient journeys through the space, taking into consideration current and future process changes. 

Tiled A3's were spray glued on coreflute and hung in the space. Rather than prototyping signage for the entire department, one route was chosen to test. When installed, we sought feedback from families and staff in the space, to gauge what was working, and what needed improvement. The iterative and low-fi nature of the designs meant we could quickly respond with changes.  

Going forward we're now consolidating the lessons learnt from prototyping, and incorporating these into the final design for install. 

3D scanning

As an environment, the lab strives to foster collaborative working relationships between design and health. Dave White, an Engineer at Auckland University of Technology, works in the area of respiratory mask design and has received funding for a 3D scanner. The device is able to map three dimensional objects accurately, and translates information into a CAD file. Technology like this is not confined to developing new concepts in the field of resipratory health, but can be used in any number of health product applications.

These types of technologies are of significant benefit to researchers looking to explore new ways of designing health products. Helen Cunningham, pictured in this photo is currently developing her PhD in Respiratory mask design and is stoked to have access to kit of this quality!