Valentina Mazzei, Luca Kalpokas, and Aylen Duarte developed a proposal for chemotherapy containers for the Pérez Scremini Foundation as part of the Product Graphics and Infographics course at the School of Design of the Universidad ORT Uruguay.
The course was taught by professorsNatalia Bernarducci andAgustina Grau, and the project was proposed by Tuanny Reggi, an upper-level graphic design student. At Pérez Scremini, the project was coordinated by Verónica Leiva, the foundation’s communications manager.
The project combines tools from industrial design and graphic design to address a challenge that involves both visual communication and the children's experience during treatment.
The goal of these designs is to transform the clinical environment into a warmer, more welcoming space that helps reduce the emotional impact of cancer treatment on children and adolescents.
From Concept to Prototype
Work continues in the course “Design and Visual Communication 2,” taught by Industrial Designer Daniel Domínguez, academic secretary of the School of Design.
In the course, students work through the technical aspects necessary to bring their proposal to life, which involves evaluating materials, joining systems, and manufacturability.
The process allows for the integration of visual decisions with the product's material and functional characteristics, enabling progress from the initial idea to a concrete prototype.
Natalia highlighted the students' involvement throughout the process and the depth they achieved in developing the proposal:
It was clear that they not only welcomed the proposal but also went far beyond what had been asked of them. They did their research, showed commitment, and brought a great deal of maturity to the project.
Design and Empathy
The partnership with the Pérez Scremini Foundation also makes it possible to align academic work with the needs of an organization that supports children undergoing cancer treatment.
Agustina emphasized the importance of taking into account the experiences of people facing difficult situations when designing:
The students exceeded what we asked of them in the proposal. They put a great deal of thought and dedication into the project: not only did they design the product, but they went above and beyond and thought about how to support the patient and their family throughout the entire treatment process.
This perspective emphasizes empathy as part of the design process and the possibility of developing solutions that take into account not only the functional aspects of the product but also the needs and experiences of its users.