The BA project «Durchzug» (literally «through draught») demonstrates that providing words for emotions and different coping strategies can support people in their active personal reflection process. Those words – printed on physical cards – help to create a link to past experiences and to form a clearer understanding of one’s own personal state. A stand for the cards serves as a base for recurring and conscious self-reflection. The project’s insights were gained by interviewing and working together closely with several cancer patients.
Addressing emotions in a time of crisis, the project «Durchzug» highlights the care and trust at stake with participants in an interaction design process. During their BA diploma, the authors have established a strong rapport with cancer patients of the Radiology department at the Kantonspital Aarau and engaged with them in thoughtful exchanges. Through multiple iterations, the authors showcased how naming emotions and understanding how we cope with them can be helpful for our mental health, particularly in the most challenging moments. The outcome of «Durchzug» is a kit that can be used by all to reflect on emotions and coping strategies as leverage points for improvement. – Excerpt from the supporting statement of the Subject Area Interaction Design
«This tool is the result of a human-centred design process. It makes it easier for patients to reflect on and better understand where their emotions come from and to express their needs.» – Sonia Tao & David Wollschlegel
«Looking ahead, I see myself as a health designer. I would like to help interdisciplinary teams to integrate technology in the daily routines of health institutions in a useful way and collaborate on innovative projects.» –David Wollschlegel
«In future, I see myself as an interaction designer in an interdisciplinary team working on concepts for the health sector with a focus on sustainability.» – Sonia Tao
