Bathroom Signage

In 2014 as the lab was getting started, we helped out on a project investigating falls around bathrooms in the geriatric ward. To remedy confusion around toilet and showering rooms, especially in low light conditions, a set of 3D room markers were designed, prototyped and installed.

During a 10month trial, other wards who saw the installed set of prototypes signalled how suitable they would be for toilet and shower facilities hospital wide.

The unit was refined from a heat-bent acrylic triangle, to a power-coated aluminium design with fluorescent icons for visibility in low light. The design is ready to be ordered by the wards at Auckland DHB.

Multiple Sclerosis SYMPTOM GUIDE

The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) relapse guide is a tool providing clearer support around symptoms for MS patients. The lab worked with project lead Fiona D'Young to create and finalise the design.

The design was presented at an Australasian MS conference along side other co-design project initiatives that help people with MS better recognise and report their relapses. The presentation won best overall project at the conference and has resulted in a further opportunity for the work to be shared at an international MS conference in Maryland.

The design is in the process of being printed and implemented at the Auckland DHB.

Car Free Day

75% of hospital car parks are used by staff causing congestion for our site as patients and family wait is traffic cues. September 22nd is World Car free Day, an initiative the sustainable transport project is right behind!

Best Awards 2015

Recently the Best Awards finalists were announced, showcasing the top New Zealand spatial, graphic and product design outputs for 2015. The Lab was recognised as a finalists in two categories - 'Best Offices and Workplace Environments' and 'Best Public Good.'

Embedded in the world of health at Auckland hospital, it has been one of the lab goals for 2015 to increase our visibility amongst the design community.  These award nominations have served as a great platform for sharing our vision amongst fellow designers.

We look forward to entering some of our current design projects in the 2016 Best award competition!

Way finding From Car Park B

The pathway from the bottom car park on the Grafton campus is a long way from the main floor of the hospital. 

A group of designers and project managers have developed a concept to help hospital users negotiate the long passage way from the car park. The simple, over sized icons lead people to key destinations such as starship, AED and main hospital floor.

The team are collecting baseline data for how users rate the current unmarked journey before the design is installed.

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!