2Students are fighting for hundreds of children’s smiles!
Human creativity is the greatest resource – used to say one of famous American scientists – Richard Florida. It would be very difficult to find arguments that would allow us not to agree with this statement. Excitation of creativity, that is to change the face of human life is something extremely important, more unique action, a challenge that was decided to take while preparing the OPEN_MINDS workshop.
The second edition of the workshops organized with a leading topic: Small Heroes once again will integrate three environments: scientific, business and patients, including people with disabilities. During 6 weeks of creative work, students will have the opportunity to develop the skills of design thinking, prototyping, 3D printing, business communication and partnership. They will gain valuable skills and experience, and in addition they will have a chance of creating a new and better everyday life, helping the Little Heroes in their daily challenges.
Series of workshops will involve weekly meetings, during which students will be equipped with the necessary knowledge. This knowledge, supported by the requirements of young patients, will be the basis for designing solutions and will support a daily struggle for health of young patients.
This year, we will help our Little Heroes with the following topics:
- FOOD THERAPY – I’M A FOOD HERO
Many chronically ill children in their daily struggle for health must be confronted with a very difficult challenge, which is to use special pumps for feeding, breathing, insulin or medication. In this situation our aim is to create solutions that will help our Little Heroes - TOYS FOR CHILDREN WITH MENTAL DISABILITIES – THEY CALL ME A HERO
In many cases fun can contribute to support the development process. This solution works primarily with children with Asperger’s syndrome or mental disability. Every few moments of additional interesting play and performing creative tasks adds another step on the way toward the development of our Little Heroes. Therefore, our aim is to design extraordinary toys for extraordinary little people. - CHILDREN FRIENDLY RECOVERY ROOM PROJECT– EVERY SUPERHERO NEED HIS CAVE
Lots of children each day passes valid operations that save their lives and health. Every minute and hour of battle is for Small Heroes a great challenge. We want to give them the opportunity for a pleasant time in a friendly aura, after each of these fights. Goal that we set is to design the recovery room that will make our Little Heroes feel like at home. - ERGONOMICS, FUNCTIONALITY, DESIGN AS THE MODERN REMOTE CONTROL FOR OPERATING TABLE FEATURES– I WILL BE YOUR SIDEKICK
Doctors on operating theaters are fighting for the lives of many people of all ages. We want to help also them in their everyday work. Their work is full of responsibilities and challenges. Each, even the smallest improvement that we can provide for the operating room is very important. This time, the aim is to design a remote control to the operating table, that will allow more effective and at the same time safe operation.
The work in the project will be based on the Design Thinking methodology. Prototypes will be made using three-dimensional printing, and then tested in the target groups. Members recruitment for the project teams from Gdansk University of Technology and the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk has started on 10.10.2016 and lasted until 23.10.2016r. Of the 80 entries we have selected 36 best candidates, who will start their activities in O4 on the November the 10th!
Work begins in November and will be finished with a gala in January 2017 where the best projects will be selected and our designers awarded.
You can find more info at: www.open.minds.com.pl and www.facebook.com/MINDS.PROJECT