Abstract

Medical design has the power to improve, prolong and save lives. Medical professionals and patients throughout the world face critical problems that can be addressed with design solutions developed in an academic setting. International collaboration fostered by universities can be a source of unique technology, cultural development and natural resources that can aid in the discovery and delivery of medical solutions. Projects developed through university based initiatives exemplify how effective information design benefits medical design applications.

MEDdesign is a program initiative of the Vignelli Center for Design Studies at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Through this international program, design students solve medical problems proposed by a diverse range of healthcare professionals. These collaborations result in medical applications that improve healthcare and prolong life. Student awareness of the processes and benefits of this academic/professional model are needed in order to establish more collaborations and innovations in medical design.

The main objective of this thesis is to foster more involvement among newcomers to medical information design in the realm of academics. The attributes of effective information design can be applied in order to communicate important information about medical design initiatives. Proof of this concept will be shown by developing a visual language and educational tools that increase student awareness, understanding and involvement in this initiative. These educational materials will be comprised of both print and digital media including infographics, posters, leave-behinds, email blasts, web banners and articles featured on the MEDdesign website. The visual language and educational materials will serve as a template for communicating information about similar initiatives to students and institutions throughout the world.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Medical informatics; Visual communication; Graphic arts

Publication Date

12-18-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Visual Communication Design (MFA)

Department, Program, or Center

School of Design (CIAS)

Advisor

Chris Jackson

Advisor/Committee Member

R. Roger Remington

Advisor/Committee Member

Bruce Meader

Comments

Physical copy available from RIT's Wallace Library at R858 .R67 2015

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

VISCOM-MFA

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