CareCards

When patients in the ICU can’t speak or move, how do they express basic needs or complex emotions? What began as a brief to explore entertainment in hospitals quickly evolved into something far deeper: a broken link in human communication, in one of the most vulnerable places imaginable.

Develop a simple, accessible system that gives non-verbal ICU patients the dignity of being understood. The system needed to be inclusive of age, language, culture, and cognitive ability; built not just for patients and staff, but with them.

Through extensive co-creation with ICU staff and patients, we (four 2nd year students) designed CareCards: a set of 18 color-coded, hook-mounted communication cards covering needs from medical to emotional. Each card uses empathetic illustrations and intuitive symbols to invite quick understanding and gentle interaction. They empower patients to feel human again and help caregivers connect more meaningfully. The feedback from users: "This should have existed years ago".