RIKSHOSPITALET UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL is the leading children's hospital in Norway, treating more than 30,000 children in 2006. For many children, a stay in hospital is a difficult period which requires some adjustment and good communication among children, treatment providers and parents.

The hospital book can be used whatever the diagnosis. It is given to children aged between 8 and 12 who are admitted to one of Norway's hospitals for 2-3 days or more.

Jury`s verdict

Hospitals often represent something unknown and frightening for both children and parents. The hospital book is a combination of a logbook, activity book, diary and medical textbook, which helps alleviate the scary aspect of staying in hospital. It also explains in an informative way what will actually happen. The book is also a good example of how you can use graphic design in a strategic manner to improve communication between children and adults, while making it easier for parents to understand how their child is actually feeling. The design is fantastically inclusive. The book provides a wealth of content, while also being easy to understand and accessible. This is a book which would be good to translate into other languages as well.
 

Company: Rikshospitalet University Hospital

Project group company: Prosjektleder: Kristine Hetland Clark, Rikshospitalet HF, Informasjonsavdelingen - Leder av barneprogrammet på Rikshosptialet: Ragnhild Hals, Rikshospitalet HF, Barneklinikken - Medisinsk faglig ansvarlig: Ressursgruppe sammensatt av et tverrfaglig team ved Rikshospitalet HF - Forfatter av boka: Taran Bjørnstad

Økonomiske bidragsytere: Helse og Rehabilitering, Radiumhospitalets legater, Helse- og onmsorgsdepartementet, Rikshospitalet HF

Utgiver: Aschehoug forlag

Design: Design to be

Project group design company: Grafisk formgiver: Tone Bergan, Design to be

Award / year: Award for Design Excellence - 2009

Category: Visual communication