Client:
Creative Conscience
Project:
Watch Paint Dry - Over-sized projections
Goal:
To reduce stress in university students
Designing for Student Wellbeing: Addressing Mental Health During Academic Crunch Time
This design was conceived as an entry into the 2020 Creative Conscience competition, under the “Health, Wellbeing & Disability” section. Creative Conscience is a community-built global platform, striving to empower and reward creative talents. Turning these talents into a force for positive social and environmental change in the global community.
This project focused on young adults aged 17 to 25, the age at which most young people enter higher education. Through my research, I discovered a correlation between this demographic and an abnormally high number of mental health cases. Further research revealed that a large portion of these issues can be attributed to “crunch time”. This refers to the time, during a student’s major assignments and or essay periods, usually correlating with the end of the semester. This crunch time can result in extreme fatigue, creating lasting mental health issues such as anxiety and insomnia.
Mental Health
As academic pressure intensifies, students frequently neglect their mental and physical well-being in pursuit of performance. In order to combat this, the campaign aims to provide a brief escape from this stress and offer the students a moment of calm reflection.
Research shows that approximately 30–50% of university students worldwide meet criteria for a mental disorder, with 75% of all lifelong mental disorders emerging before age 25. Tertiary students may also face greater risk than their non-student peers, with severe psychological distress affecting 19–48% compared to 3–11% in the general population.
Insomnia & Fatigue
The most common disorders are anxiety and insomnia, which in turn significantly impact academic performance. Students suffering from insomnia are more likely to fail exams or other requirements, creating a vicious cycle of overcompensation.
Attempts to “catch up on sleep” can be almost as detrimental, with research showing that both less than 5 hours and more than 10 hours of sleep correlate with poorer academic outcomes. Students who consistently sleep 7–9 hours perform significantly better.
Solution
To address student stress, this campaign provides a brief escape and a moment of calm reflection. Projectors and/or LED media walls will be installed in high-traffic campus areas during late-night study periods, such as libraries and study halls. During end-of-semester “crunch time,” these displays will show calming motion graphics of paint flowing.
Where outdoor installations are not feasible, indoor displays can achieve the same effect. Accompanying posters will guide students experiencing insomnia or fatigue to appropriate support services and provide links to the projection videos for access at any time.
Colours
When deciding which colours to incorporate into this design, it was important to consider how people’s bodies and minds subconsciously react to colour. Brighter colours tend to stimulate and energise viewers, which can sometimes lead to feelings of anxiety or discomfort. With this in mind, if relaxation and calm are the intended outcomes, certain colour choices were prioritised.
Blues are widely regarded as quiet and soothing. They can help calm a busy mind and are commonly used in bedrooms due to their association with tiredness, rest, and sleep.
Pinks, particularly soft pastel tones, can also evoke a sense of peace and calm. While brighter, more vibrant pinks may feel energetic, muted pinks introduce warmth without overwhelming the viewer.
Purples, much like blues, can have a calming effect when used in lighter shades. Darker purples tend to convey feelings of structure, stability, and support, making both ends of the spectrum effective in putting viewers at ease.
Greens are soothing and comforting due to their strong association with nature and the outdoors. They promote feelings of balance and restoration, often leaving observers feeling refreshed and at ease.
