Building teen communities within hospital walls

Unge Univers (Teen Universe)

            
From Medical to Social: Rethinking Care
                We started by conducting research sessions with patients across different treatment scenarios, from day visitors to long-term residents. These conversations revealed how critical social connections are during treatment.  Rather than building another medical tool, we approached this as a social design challenge. And, through this research the team also crafted a set of parameters that could inform any solution that is created for this age group.
            
Design through feedback and collaboration
                The design process centered on rapid prototyping and constant feedback. We developed a series of interaction prototypes, testing them with teens who had different mobility levels and treatment requirements. Each session helped us refine the experience, leading to features like adaptive motion games for bedridden patients and social spaces that work across physical limitations.
            
Features that bring agengy, engagement  and movement 
                The platform now enables teens to discover events, connect with peers, and participate in activities regardless of their physical location in the hospital. QR codes transform ordinary spaces into game zones, while a careful balance of privacy controls and moderation makes social interaction safe and natural. Custom avatars and achievement systems give back a sense of agency that's often lost during medical treatment.

With BørneRiget Hospital × Fjord

2021

My Role

Led experience design and strategy, running workshops with stakeholders and iterative testing with teens

The Challenge

Adolescence is already complex - now imagine experiencing it from a hospital bed. BørneRiget Hospital noticed that teens in medical treatment were struggling with isolation and disconnection during a crucial period of identity development.

The Outcome

A mobile app that transforms hospital environments into vibrant communities – that uses QR codes and motion tracking to create an always-on festival atmosphere where adolescents can build community, stay active, and maintain their sense of identity during treatment at the hospital.

            Where we landed
            
        UngeUnivers is being implemented at BørneRiget's new facility, with early testing showing increased social interaction across mobility levels and higher engagement in physical activities. The platform has evolved into a framework that could transform how teens experience medical care, proving that digital tools can create more human healthcare spaces.