For this campaign we wanted to create a sensory garden to help people who are overstimulated relax and calm down if they are struggling. We would include lots of different textures (grass, stone, wood, flowers) so that people can ground themselves and also regulate with touch. We would install visual features such as bird baths, water fountains, bird feeders and flowers that attract bees and butterflies. All floor surfaces of this garden would be as flat as possible in order for individuals to predict walking surfaces. Textured/ uneven floor surfaces can be extremely distressing for people with Autism and SPD as it makes an unsettling atmosphere of not knowing what is next, and uncertainty. Having smooth ground can prevent this. A sensory swing would also be a perfect addition for individuals who enjoy pressure to self soothe and regulate themselves if overstimulated. All of these things would contribute to a calming enjoyable experience. For the way-finding of the garden we would use the font (Open Dyslexic) as it is designed specifically to help people with dyslexia read with more ease, being inclusive of all needs. We would also include PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) in our way-finding to aid everyone regardless of communication abilities, as PECS are image based. This campaign would be helpful for small communities and big cities with employees who have Autism and/ or Sensory Processing Disorder or any other needs to de-compress and receive positive relaxing stimulation to improve their day to day functioning.
Seed folk is a brand for botanicals that I loved in aspects of branding, type and colour. I would use seed folk as a major design inspiration to create the sensory garden.
I loved doing research into this project as Neurodiversity has close personal connections to me and my family. My older sister Ellie is diagnosed with Autism and complex learning difficulties aswell as limited mobility. If this campaign was made real and was wide spread, it would aid people with disabilities to have a safe space to be comfortable in the community and also come to decompress through nature and low stimulating environments.
