heartlife foundation
REIMAGInING WHAT IT MEANS TO LIVE AND CARE FOR HEART FAILURE.
Together with Heartlife Foundation we developed the first-ever patient journey map for Canadians living with and caring for people with heart failure. This is a milestone to educate, empower, and engage patients to advocate for their health and well-being — and that they are not alone in the journey.
Innovation • Health care • Human-centered design • Innovation • Graphic Design • Branding • Illustrations • Strategy • Storytelling • Editorial Design •
Innovation • Health care • Human-centered design • Innovation • Graphic Design • Branding • Illustrations • Strategy • Storytelling • Editorial Design •
research
We took a design thinking approach to conduct in-depth (virtual) interviews with a range of people who have a relationship with heart failure — including patients, caregivers/family members, and healthcare professionals. Each interview lasted between 60–90 minutes.
we interviewed
Patients ranged from 30 to 70 years of age and from newly diagnosed heart failure patients to people who have been living strong with heart failure for over 40 years. Everyone’s relationship or entry into heart failure is unique and individualized, whether they had a known heart disease from birth or a sudden onset in their 30s.
Stakeholder
Demographic
To learn about the lived experiences of heart failure patients we conducted design research virtually with patients, caregivers, nurses and doctors specializing in heart health. We were interested to learn about the first signs and symptoms, the diagnostic experience, managing life, improved access to care, and wishes to improve quality of life – to name a few.
mapping the journey
Unpacking our design research interviews, seeing shared experiences, and discovering opportunities for innovation.
Visualization
"People assume it's only for the elderly. Anybody could get it, no matter who you are."
Heart Failure Patient
DESIGN
HeartLife Foundation is Canada's first - and only - national-led Heart Failure organization. They are advocating for the patient voice! We gave the brand a bit of a face-life to represent the vision the founders have. We also developed a toolkit to help the wider public detect early signs and symptoms, and to help patients manage their health and keep track of their medication intake.
Symptoms checker illustrations
shortness of breath
swollen ankles
change in appetite
weight gain
fatigue
bloating
cough
increased urination
confusion
Over the course of the journey we learned that heart failure can affect anyone, regardless of your age. It is an invisible disease with the tendency for misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. That's why we need to raise awareness, share knowledge, improve access to care, build communities of support, and transform the delivery of care.
Thank you to the patients, caregivers, nurses, and doctors for sharing youR story and experiences.
TEAM
Strategy Lead
Tony Gui
Creative Lead
Franzi Sessler
Design and Illustration
Julie Frank
HeartLife Foundation
Marc Bains
Jillianne Code