The Haptic Remembrance Book: Design Process

Collaborated with Mediva, Inc and observed staff during home visits and nursing home visits 

Interviewed nursing staff in the United States and Japan as well as recently retired individuals

I created personas for nursing home residents

I then thematically analyzed the observations and interview transcripts

Categorized results into pain points

Led a two-part design workshop with staff from Mediva, Inc

We created storyboards and concept posters

We defined important design elements

Interviewing: using reminiscent therapy 

Content Creation:  with haptic tools like the Techtile Toolkit

Reflecting: reinforcing the positive effects created during the other phases

The interview phase functions similarly to, or can be used in conjunction with, reminiscent therapy activities. Previously created, or a Haptic Remembrance Book about the interviewer can be used to initiate/inspire conversation (the interviewer can curate as well as negotiate with the interviewee the topics discussed)

This phase can be reflective of an art therapy session. Similar to traditional art therapies, the content creation of the Haptic Remembrance Book stresses the importance of the physicality of the building medium. A key difference is that the participant expresses through somatosensation as opposed to charcoals or paints.