A new language for pain.
A tool kit full of objects to help people articulate the complexities of their pain.
It creates a three-dimensional map, allowing one to tell their story and see their pain from a new perspective.
Master’s Project
Re-Imagining Pain Communication
Design and Architecture Norway Newcomer Award 2021
International Design Awards 2022, Silver for Designs for Social Impact
iF Design Student Award 2023
A participatory process.
“Through objects I am able to express my pain for the first time.”
- Workshop participant
Mould your
pain in clay
The design process began by holding workshops where I asked participants to mould their pain in clay. This is where I first learned the power that objects have in bridging the communication gap. The unique forms helped people express what they couldn’t with words alone.
The clay forms and the stories people shared became the inspiration for the form and tactile experience of each pain object in the tool kit.
Ideate and Test
Through interviews and workshops, it led to insights that needed to be considered in the design of a new approach to communication. The ideation process began by experimenting with paper and simple objects.
From these initial experiments, it led to the final iteration of the tool kit. The tool kit is designed to guide the facilitator (doctor, therapist and/or loved one) through each stage of the communication process. Each layer and stage allows a person to communicate a more comprehensive narrative of their pain.
