ALS (also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. ALS creates a weakness and shrinkage of the muscles, resulting in difficulty speaking, swallowing, and eventually breathing. These designed pieces are targeted to help an ALS patient communicate with friends, family, and caretakers once the disease had progressed to a point that they are unable to communicate verbally.
Goal: Inform viewers about ALS with posters, and ease communication and understanding between those afflicted by ALS and their intended communicators through an app and flip cards.
Audience: Anyone not familiar with ALS for the informational side. ALS patients and their hospital staff or visitors with the app and communication cards.
Process: Research and personal experience were used in determining key factors in how the disease affects the patient, and how to aid in the ailments that are suffered. Both tactile and digital options were explored to give the patient a way of expressing their desires and feelings. Minimalism was used to make potential communication as easy and effective as possible. A friendly, soft color scheme was implemented to help the patients remain calm even in stressful situations.
Audience: Anyone not familiar with ALS for the informational side. ALS patients and their hospital staff or visitors with the app and communication cards.
Process: Research and personal experience were used in determining key factors in how the disease affects the patient, and how to aid in the ailments that are suffered. Both tactile and digital options were explored to give the patient a way of expressing their desires and feelings. Minimalism was used to make potential communication as easy and effective as possible. A friendly, soft color scheme was implemented to help the patients remain calm even in stressful situations.
These flip cards were designed for the patient's family member or nurse to use to communicate with non-verbal ALS sufferers. They would flip through the different categories to determine their needs, affirming their choice with a blink from the patient.
Infographic posters to provide statistical data on ALS and its affect on people within society.
Example of green flip cards, that were designed for tactile needs of the patient.
Example of yellow flip cards, that were designed for mid-urgency needs of the patient.
Example of red flip cards, that were designed for urgent situations.
Example of blue flip cards, that were designed for emotional needs of the patient.
This project is dedicated to my dad, who died of ALS in 2015.