At the presentation of the project "Design in the public sector" held at the Children's Hospital, VUL Santariškių Clinics Branch, proposals for project ideas were presented and guidelines were formulated for the next stage of activity.
The project, for which the Children's Hospital was chosen, aims to draw attention to the lack of an appropriate labeling system in health care institutions. At the presentation event, professionals invited by the Lithuanian Graphic Design Association presented different conceptual proposals for visual communication and labeling.
Low perception of the artistic value of design and insufficient financing of the public sector determine the current situation in Lithuania - design in hospitals is treated as a product of production activities, not assessing the quality and efficiency provided by the artistic and functional value. Abroad, the importance of visual communication in the public sector is discussed at the state level, recommendations, guidelines are prepared and specialized centers are established. Based on the accumulated experience, the added value created by a good labeling system is clearly identified.
Accurately presented information, a good labeling system and an orderly environment of a personal health care facility have a calming effect on patients. A clear perception of the environment helps the patient feel in control of the situation and self-confidence, which reduces stress, fear, anxiety and other feelings that hinder healing. In the case of a poor labeling system, the hospital staff is distracted from their direct duties, thus decreasing the efficiency of the service and the hospital incurs financial losses. Lost patients do not have time to come to the offices at the appointed time, services are delayed, and the smooth operation of the institution is disturbed. Stress caused by disorientation provokes headaches, high blood pressure, fatigue and additional physical exertion, a feeling of helplessness.
According to the deputy director of the Children's Hospital, pediatrician Dr. Sigita Burokienė's, children's hospitals are paid special attention in the world, from the point of view of interior design, they are incredibly artistic, functional, have an educational aspect, with a clear system of references - this is how the hospital's friendly approach to sick children and their family members is shown.
"Seeing such professional proposals from designers, we can only say one thing - that our hospital also needs it very much. It's a pity, but today the Children's Hospital, even being the largest institution treating children in Lithuania, can only dream about it. We are happy with the joint initiative of the organizers of this project, aiming for inter-institutional cooperation and mobilizing funds from the public and private sector to implement a unique project", emphasized Dr. Sigita Burokienė.
The organizer of the project - the National Association of Creative and Cultural Industries plans to mobilize funding and further develop the designers' ideas this year, as well as to finalize the design of the labeling system for the Children's Hospital in Vilnius. According to the project manager, director of the association Roma Survilienė, this project was initiated in order to demonstrate the potential of design and the value created by professionals in the creative sector in a health care facility.
Project partners – Lithuanian Graphic Design Association and Public Children's Hospital, Vilnius University Santariškii Clinic branch of the hospital. Representatives of the Ministry of Health and Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, members of the Lithuanian Graphic Design Association and the administration of the Children's Hospital discussed at the event.
