RSA Student Design Awards Briefs 23/24
Night Guardian is a tool specifically designed to guide individuals with dementia during nighttime navigation within their homes when wandering in the night. This tool aims to assist in locating the essential areas whilst promoting safety and independence for those with dementia.
Caring culture brief:
The caring culture brief asks:
How might we improve the lives of older adults and their carers by encouraging and enabling, and higher standards of care?
Initially delving into this brief, I did a broad search into Caring Culture to have a better understanding of the measures of care and the standards we are currently experiencing in the UK.
When starting my research, I explored different areas of caring cultures. I had factors I'd need to consider when researching to ensure I had a better understanding of caring culture. I came across many statistics in areas of the healthcare workforce, informed caregiving, the ageing population, institutional care and home care. From what I had searched it occurred to me that there was a lack of information that touched upon tailored needs of care.
In Carers week 2023, Charity calls on Government to provide more support for unpaid carers, and highlights the concerning position of our 2 million unpaid older carers who are often without the support they need.
Personal insight
In 2021 after many cognitive and functional assessments, my Grandad Michael was diagnosed with vascular dementia, this caused a reduced blood flow to the brain causing confusion and loss of memory which overtime the stages can develop. My Nan Janet put together assistive tools to make the daily tasks easier for him when trying to navigate his way around the house when she wouldn’t be there to assist him. She used the tools she had and did her very best till the end. After living in the same house for over 20 years you can imagine how frustrating and confusing it was to forget where the everyday items are and to adjust to this new way of life.
Target audience: Unpaid dementia caregivers
Keeping this insight in mind, made me want to improve tools for unpaid caregivers and individuals with dementia.
WHAT ARE THE COMMON ISSUES WHEN CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH DEMENTIA AT HOME?
Design intention
After delving into the issues highlighted, I asked myself what can I do as a designer to improve dementia care at home. Within my research, I had a look for some of the current or developing well-being measures and amongst a few assistive tools of dementia care I found many practical devices however there weren’t too many products that aimed to improve navigation or memory. Following on from this, I decided to use the mountain model from one of our workshops to narrow down the aims of my design intention. After many mountain models, I decided that I wanted to create an improved tool for wayfinding and navigation that could benefit the individual with dementia by promoting independence whilst also allowing respite and peace of mind for the caregiver as it provides assistance and safety in the home. I also thought this would be beneficial during the day as well when sundowning syndrome occurs in the late afternoon and evening.
The importance of sensory in dementia
In the course of my research on dementia care, I’ve chosen to leverage my design skills to develop a wayfinding product. The aim is to enhance the quality of informal dementia care by incorporating sensory elements. My research underscores the effectiveness of sensory tools in improving memory and fostering positive mindsets.
Talking tiles inspiration
Educational tool designed to enhance communication and engagement for individuals with communication difficulties, including those with cognitive impairments. It is a versatile and customisable tool that has a wide range of applications within education.
Moving forward, I thought Talking Tiles was a great measure to improve memory and familiarity. So, I wanted to develop and build upon this device and repurpose its functions towards my users and audience. I thought this device could be altered to improve navigation and wayfinding in the night.
In collaboration I aspired to craft a lightweight navigational tool that is tailored to the individual's needs by aiming to assist them in locating the essential areas in the late afternoon and evening, promoting independence and safety.
As part of this collaboration, I intended to integrate sensory lighting elements as well as a motion proximity sensor that activates a voice recording that is created by the caregiver to help assist them with voice familiarity.
This approach implements familiar icons to provide a user-friendly interface that enhances understanding and effective wayfinding.
This assistive tool however would not be suitable for advanced stages of dementia.
Initial design function
Teaming up with Talking Tiles, I aspire to craft a lightweight navigational tool tailored for individuals with dementia within their homes. This tool aims to provide enhanced wayfinding capabilities, utilising the partnership’s expertise in creating innovative solutions for improved communication and navigation in the context of dementia care. My goal is to develop this tool specifically to guide individuals with dementia during nighttime navigation within their homes when wandering in the night. This tool aims to assist in locating the essential areas such as the bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom, promoting safety and independence for those with dementia during nocturnal activities. As part of this collaboration, I intend to integrate sensory lighting elements into the wayfinding tool as well as a proximity sensor that activates a voice recording. By incorporating sensory lighting, the aim is to offer navigational assistance that goes beyond mere visual cues. This approach considers the broader sensory experiences of individuals with dementia, potentially enhancing the tool’s effectiveness in guiding them.
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Improved navigation during nocturnal activities
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Sensory lighting elements
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Proximity sensor voice activation
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Familiar iconography
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User-friendly interface
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Promoting safe independence wayfinding
Branding developments
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In reflection of my branding for Night Guardian, I decided to create a more empathetic brand.
Circle design
Directional light for wayfinding
Proximity motion sensor that activates the recording
Comforting logo
Calming colour palette
Night Guardian branding
Envisioning Night Guardian
Crafting a lightweight navigational tool that is tailored to the individual's needs by aiming to assist them in locating the essential areas in the late afternoon and evening, promoting independence and safe wayfinding.
Reflection
In reflection of my original branding visuals, I thought it was lacking an empathetic feel. I also wanted to make some adjustments and improvements to my design function and branding based on some feedback I'd received. I applied branding elements that I believe improved my branding communication aims such as:
A more empathetic shape design, a circle avoids harsh corners and edges.
Directional lighting, towards the area to avoid multiple close sensors being motion detected.
A calming yet stimulating colour palette.
Here I have presented the improved branding outcomes, showing potential packaging designs, website templates, and new improved tool design.