Visually explaining palliative care

The Stratton Foundation

Health Communication Design
Thomas Jefferson University

Sarah’s role:
+ Creative direction
+ Typography
+ Illustration
+ Sketching
+ Print design
+ Poster design

With a grant from the Stratton Foundation, Jeannette Kates piloted a telehealth program for chronic lung disease patients. Her goal was to initiate conversations about quality of life with patients well in advance of hospice and to align the actions of doctors, nurses, and caregivers. Sarah’s task was to convey this idea in a patient-facing poster.

Advisors:
Jeannette Kates, PhD, AGPCNP-BC, FPCN
Maribeth Kradel-Weitzel

1. Sketching visual directions

Sarah presented Jeannette with a series of sketches offering different metaphors for palliative care. The bird imagery direction was the visual winner and we workshopped the copy to match.

2. Determining the correct medium

Attempts with entirely digital texture did not hold the same emotional resonance as watercolor.

An image of feet next to watercolor paints brushes and a series of small paintings on cardboard on the floor.

3. Integrating digital and analog

Birds flying together showed the team effort between patients and caregivers in palliative care. The italicized type indicated movement in a previously stuck process. The sunset symbolized a future that was both beautiful and transitory.