Art and Human Connection
Last week, I was able to attend an event as part of the Kansas City Design Week’s festivities. The event was held at the Children’s Mercy Hospital in downtown KC and was called “Art of Healing.” I found the talk and tour to be encouraging and inspirational.
The two presenters, Donald “Scribe” Ross and Missy Stover, shared about their work in the Children’s Mercy Hospital and the kinds of unique challenges and blessings that come from working for children in a hospital. For example, Ms. Stover shared that the color red is one that they try to avoid in artwork because it could connotate blood or guts. Black is also generally avoided because it might encourage feelings of depression or darkness. Even colors that might be appropriate in one setting could be wrong in another setting! For example, the color yellow is perfect for artwork that features a bright sun and happiness, but usage of yellow wouldn’t be tactful in the urology department.
Ms. Stover and Scribe also emphasized the useage of non-verbal communication in the artwork and use of color. For example, the signage and graphic design for the Hospital uses various colors to direct people around the buildings and keep them going the right direction. In the photo above, you can see the red train tracks on the floor. Right next to these tracks are yellow tracks leading to another hallway. Ms. Stover said that medical professionals use the colored tracks to help with wayfinding for children and parents while in the Hospital. These methods and similar imagery can really aid in the communication process between patients and doctors. This is what graphic design is all about…effective communication through visual, written, spoken etc means.
Finally, I felt that the presentation was encouraging to me because it showed just how much of a positive impact art can have on others. I can bless others with my web design work by helping to create an atmosphere that’s easy to use and that helps them to feel confident and productive. In the same way, my graphic design projects can help clients to express their message in an efficient and meaningful way.