Friday 29 April 2011

Outcome of Sensory Area Final Design Meeting on 19th April 2010

Example of a good design for a space themed sensory area.


Summary of key points of the meeting:-

A briefing had been given two weeks before our meeting which explained a directive from the trust emphasising we should be endeavouring to meet the requirements raised by the families of children with specific needs e.g. visual/physical.

I had gone away from my original preliminary space themed designed, in good faith, producing characters/images, that individually catered for the age range of the patients.

My designs may meet the criteria for a mural in a children’s hospital but they do not meet the concerns of the families whose children needs should be recognised when designing current hospital projects.

Revised criteria for Sensory Area Mural design:-

• Images are to be ageless.
• i.e. they do not represent a character which with time may not be recognisable or currently popular. Each individual image is also to be ageless in terms of it being stimulating to visitors from the very young to teenage years.

• The focus of the mural with regard to 3 D imagery is to be between 400mm & 800mm from the floor.

• 3-4 Planets

• 5-6 Stars

• 2-3 Rockets

• Screen printing style

• Planets can be painterly but need to be brightly coloured.

• It would be nice to have a larger size rocket perhaps from the floor area to middle ground.




Further to the meeting to ensure I achieved the best possible design I asked advice from a specialist paediatric nurse who works with both children & teaching staff, & a paediatric eye consultant.

Advice from Specialist Paediatric Nurse:-

Different types of materials may add to the experience. e.g. Wood will feel different to Perspex in terms of heat & texture.

Stimulation can be provided simply by making holes.

Large shapes or areas of colour are ideal.

High Contrast is preferred.

Small intricate designs are to be avoided where possible.

There must be no sharp edges.

The design materials must be easily cleanable & meet health & safety requirements.

The Royal National Institute for Blind & partially Blind may be a good source of help.

Advice from Eye Consultant:-

Images to have strong contrast.

Defined edges.

Big & bold.

Do not use soft pastel colours.

Primary colours are best.

Rockets can have stripes.

Swirling images e.g. of galaxy is ok providing there is strong contrast.

Try looking at :-

Visually stimulating images.

Childrens visually Stimulating images.

Mother care.

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