Brief art case

The Brief Art Case was developed for for people living with dementia and their caregivers. By providing expedient set up with a single and simple, the Brief Art Case reduces agitation and stress.

The Brief Art Case was developed for and with Baycrest Center’s Memory Clinic.

How it works

A sense a familiarity stands as a key element of the Brief Art Case’s design, ensuring accessibility as well as a mature and dignified experience. As a favorite activity among the residents at Baycrest, art and art therapy has become a key element of care. The case allows the activity to be more self directed and reduces the stress on caregivers working with many residents at once, preventing agitation among the residents.

Brushes

The adaptive brushes provide a larger and more comfortable handle and a cushioned grip critical for some patients.

Prompts

Some of the art papers included in the case provide prompts to allow residents to more easily get started, preventing frustration.

Its familiar form and types of prompts follow an overall theme of memory. A modular pallet allows it to be adapted to each resident’s preferences.

The Process

Problem Statement

How might we reduce the stress and overwhelm of a scheduled art activity period for both residents and caregivers to provide an enjoyable, novel experience for residents and allow caregivers to more easily assist many residents?

Sketching

Fabrication