Wildflowers for Wayfinding
Wall artworks and signage for Medway Hospital Fetal Centre
The Medway Fetal and Maternal Medicine Centre (MFMC) is a commissioned unit for the south east of England, supporting over 5,000 families in Medway and Swale, and also women with high-risk pregnancies in Kent and Essex.
Harriet Hickey, Lead Fetal Medicine Midwife, said: “While we have always been confident in the provision of high-quality care, we were all too aware through both patient and staff feedback, that the environment could be greatly enhanced to allow families a more comfortable experience. … the feedback from patients and staff has been overwhelmingly positive.”
The centre’s main entrance is now properly signposted. Inside, the department has been re-painted with abstract curves to represent pregnancy in pastel blue and white; colour coded with flower-themed graphics and signage to make it easier for families to find their way around.
Leading the design of this project Karen wanted to provide a unique environment that would be calming and welcoming yet also uplifting and engaging. After exploring a number of options with all the stakeholders, Karen proposed using five varieties of wildflowers to delineate specific areas. Uniquely drawn they feature at a large scale on the walls and are also replicated on all the signs to aid wayfinding.
To further enhance the design the flowers were grouped to create the effect of small meadows at the centre entrance and some of the less specific areas.
A huge thank you goes to the Medway Hospital Charity who funded the project.
Mother-to-be, Gemma Sycamore said: “In the past I have always felt quite apprehensive coming to the department but both myself and my partner appreciated the tangible change to the unit. It now feels bright, bubbly and inviting and it’s a much more welcoming space.”
