How designers can help during the chaos, confusion and uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus.
In this brief article, I am going to share some open calls for designers and a range of high and low fidelity outcomes that I have come across.
“You have the power to change the world. The UN needs your help to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).”
We are all living in unprecedented times. The World Health Organization (WHO) is leading and coordinating the global health response to coronavirus, helping to ensure all countries are ready to prevent, detect and respond to the pandemic. For that to be effective, WHO needs people everywhere to adopt public health precautions, act in solidarity, and prevent the spread of misinformation.
Key UN messages where designers such as yourself, can help:
- Personal Hygiene
- Physical Distancing
- Knowing the symptoms
- Kindness contagion
- Myth-busting (the spread of fake news)
- Encouraging people to do more and/or donate
In addition to these UN measures, coronavirus has become a very real fear for a lot of people, particularly with the new restrictions, measures and advice posed by local and international governments. This anxiety is only further perpetuated by the media.
There are now many people in both urban and rural environments who are afraid or unable to do certain everyday tasks for fear of catching the virus. This could be because of having a weakened immune system (through age for example) or an underlying health condition. As a result of this, they may be afraid to go into public places or use public transport, rendering them unable to make necessary trips to get medication/do shopping/walk pets etc. Furthermore, many people may already be in self-isolation themselves.
There have been several open calls calling for global help from all different practices and fields of design and research. For example, just a few ways in which you could help:
- Illustration and graphic design
- Video
- Audio
- Copy (news or magazine articles)
- Activity concepts (ideas for activities to do when staying home e.g. home concerts, sing-along handwashing, contagious acts of kindness)
- Service design
- App, website design
- Distance learning
- Localised manufacturing e.g. masks and safety screens
Open calls
Responses from the design community:
High-fi Responses
SymptoTrack is a tool with the aim to map everyone with symptoms of the coronavirus. By answering the questionnaire, you can record your own or someone else’s symptoms. In this way, all data is collected and we can track the spread of the virus.
The COVID-19 app and website allow users to answer a series of questions around risk factors, recent exposure and symptoms for themselves or a loved one. In turn, they will receive CDC recommendations on next steps, including guidance on social distancing and self-isolating, how to closely monitor symptoms, whether or not a test is recommended at this time, and when to contact a medical provider.
In many parts of the world, the COVID-19 pandemic is causing shortages in hospital space, staff, medical supplies, and equipment. Severe cases may require breathing support, but there are only so many ventilators available. With that in mind, MIT is working on FDA approval of an emergency ventilator system (E-Vent). The project is open source, so once they have approved, the team will release all the data needed to replicate it.
Low-fi Responses
A street in Yorkshire has gone viral on social media — after residents posted red and green alert cards in their windows during the coronavirus outbreak.
People in Italy, Canada and even the UK have begun participating in something called ‘The rainbow campaign’. The campaign is simple, people are putting rainbows out for everyone to see to spread positivity in an uncertain and difficult time.
Design and technology teachers are making face shields to help protect NHS workers from coronavirus. Some hospital staff say they lack basic protective gear, but the government says it is working to protect them. Using laser cutters, they were able to produce about “one shield a minute”.
A 3D printed tool that enables users to press lift buttons, and pull opens doors without having to risk contamination.
Anyone with a 3D printer can help! 3D printing communities across the world became a massive driving force in the effort to produce protective wear for those, who need it the most.
The purpose of this article is to bring together several notable open calls and outcomes, broadly pertaining to design that I have come across during the crisis. I will of course update this list but you are welcome to comment on any more open calls or outcomes that you are aware of. I will be happy to add them to this list. Thank you.
Elliott
