Navigating a hospital for children

Abstract

‘Navigating a hospital for children’ was a project done for the Wilhelmina children’s hospital. This project focuses on letting children feel in control while they find their way to the right department, in contrast to feeling stressed and scared in the (new) hospital environment. The project goal was to design a positive wayshowing system that was understandable and challenging for children between the ages of four and twelve years. An iteratively design approach is used to develop ‘hospital world’. Ideas were explored and evaluated by tests and interviews. The needs of children within and outside the hospital environment are identified. The final design is tested with the target group within the hospital environment. Children responded positively regarding the idea, and they were able to find the right department and feel in control.