Uncomfortable Immersion Kit de Apoio ao Luto by Chloe Marcela Coelho

Uncomfortable Immersion Kit de Apoio ao Luto by Chloe Marcela Coelho is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award de Ferro in Design Social Competition Category.

FerroSocial· 2020

Uncomfortable Immersion Kit de Apoio ao Luto

by Chloe Marcela Coelho

Client: Chloe Marcela Coelho

A' Design Award de Ferro Winner in Social Category

18,158

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #88749

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Uncomfortable Immersion Kit de Apoio ao Luto

Uncomfortable Immersion é um kit de apoio ao luto destinado a adolescentes enlutados. O kit tem como elemento central um livro-guia que ajuda os jovens a criar objetos rituais pessoais e a elaborar a perda ao seu próprio ritmo. Um pendente memorial é modelado a partir da assinatura de um ente querido, impresso em 3D em PLA e fundido em prata de lei. Um lenço de seda é impresso com uma carta do falecido em tinta termocrómica, que se torna transparente acima dos 27 graus Celsius, fazendo com que as palavras surjam através do toque. Métodos de design centrado no ser humano orientaram o trabalho, que procura oferecer apoio muito depois do funeral.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Ferro

Uncomfortable Immersion Kit de Apoio ao Luto conquistou o A' Design Award de Ferro, um reconhecimento prestigiado atribuído a bons designs que cumprem os requisitos profissionais e industriais esperados de criações bem concebidas. Os vencedores do Ferro demonstram grande habilidade, elevada especialização, compreensão especializada e capacidade criativa dos seus criadores. Espera-se que Uncomfortable Immersion Kit de Apoio ao Luto seja uma criação muito considerada, admirada e estimada, prática e inovadora. Este design vencedor do A' Design Award de Ferro integra as melhores práticas do setor e tem características técnicas competentes associadas a conhecimento especializado e talento. Pela sua minúcia, Uncomfortable Immersion Kit de Apoio ao Luto merece respeito e destina-se a proporcionar melhorias na qualidade de vida que ajudam a tornar o mundo num lugar melhor.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The project explores the way that our society deals with grief; particularly in adolescents. It considers the emotional complexities within grief and the socio-cultural misconceptions. Using Human-Centred Design, a grief book was created to guide the bereaving to construct ritual objects which help the adolescent process and comprehend at their own pace, while maintaining important metaphysical relationships with the deceased. Personal autonomy was strongly encouraged in their grief journey.
Dimensions & Packaging: 'Without Expectation' by Chloe Marcela Coelho - Width 176 mm x Depth 5 mm x Height 250 mm
Signature Pendant - Width 35 mm x Depth 2 mm x Height 50 mm
Grief Scarf - Width 900 mm x Depth 0.5 mm x Height 900 mm
Tags: Grief, Death, Ritual, Empathy, Social Impact, Adolescence, Support, Mourning, Pendant, Scarf
Production Technology: The companion artefact to the grief book, 'Without Expectations', was a pendant made from the signature of a loved one which was 3D printed in PLA and cast in sterling silver. The grief scarf uses a unique black thermochromic ink that becomes transparent above 27C. This was infused into silk containing a printed letter from their lost loved one, that only appears with the ritualistic gesture of touch. The novel manufacturing process for the resultant scarf required many iterations to perfect.
Design Challenge: Institutionalized death has misconstrued grief in our society. Grievers are expected to avoid emotional depth and showing vulnerability, especially for teenagers. This alienates and discourages teenagers from dealing with grief in a healthy manner. During vast physical and mental changes, reworking identities and shifting parental dynamics, a loved one's death is crushing. While initial support around the funeral is crucial, support is often scarce months after a death when it's needed most.
Research: Uncomfortable Immersion uses human-centred and service design ideas to provide an empathic toolset for grieving adolescents. Extended research into existing literature, interviews about loss and evaluation from psychologists and deathcare specialists provided a foundation for new concepts around grief care. The project has been heavily requested and discussed in relation to personal memorials and discourse in deathcare field. As well allowing exploration of my personal experience of loss.
Inspiration: Grief is a universal aspect of the human condition that is rarely discussed in western society, which often frames grief as a 'stage' for people to overcome with most support occurring during the funeral. However, new frameworks suggest that grief is an ongoing process. This leaves long-term grievers without support or agency, creating unnecessary suffering. Embracing my personal experience of losing my mother at thirteen has shown me that grief is not something to be rushed or prescribed.
Project Duration: The project was started in March 2018 as part of the Honours Project in Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours) at RMIT University (City Campus). The project was completed in November of 2018.
Operation Flow: Without Expectation is a practical guide for adolescents in a time of loss. It approaches the subject with sensitivity, that respects the maturity and hardship the teenager has unwittingly embarked upon. Through the use of approachable stories about grief and transformation, the user is informed of harmful fallacies that are common in western society. It promotes concepts of death literacy and ritualism in mourning, including a memorial pendant and a scarf with handwriting from the deceased.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Chloe Marcela Coelho, 2019