Three Great Reads for Health Designers
A former colleague reached out this week looking for a reading list to share with a student interested in design and health environments. I collected three of my favorite resources, ranging from easy, light-hearted reads to rigorous academic reports. Whether you are just beginning your journey in health design, or you’re a seasoned pro looking to brush up on the field, you’ll find something on this list!
Healing Spaces: The Science of Place and Well-Being
Author: Esther Sternberg, MD
Seriously, just start here. Dr. Sternberg, a renowned researcher in mind-body science, offers a unique perspective that combines medical science, psychology, and architecture. Her writing magically bridges the gap between rigor and approachability - not an easy feat.
Chapters cover everything from hospital design to urban planning to landscapes and gardens to holistic practices and rituals. It’s all here.
If you’re just diving in to health design: If you’re not familiar with Esther Sternberg yet, watch her TEDx Talk. And then immediately pick up this book.
If you’ve been here a while: She gives context for some of the landmark studies in the health design field, so even if you think you know the story of Roger Ulrich’s “View Through a Window,” you still have more to learn.
Health Design Thinking: Creating Products and Services for Better Health
Authors: Bon Ku, MD and Ellen Lupton
Originally published in 2020 and then revised in 2022 with insights from COVID-19, this was an instant classic for me. Can you tell I love books written by physicians? Ku’s clinical expertise gets a huge bump from Lupton’s thoughtful, dynamic approach to design. And the illustrations are SO GOOD!
While this is definitely geared more towards product designers, even architects and interior designers will find value in the design thinking methods and case studies laid out by Ku and Lupton.
If you’re just diving into health design: This book will teach you some engagement strategies to use with clients… and the case studies will get you totally inspired!
If you’ve been here a while: It’s always great to have more user-group engagement strategies up your sleeve. Take some cues from these design thinking methods for your next stakeholder workshop!
The Equity Mindset: Designing Human Spaces Through Journeys, Reflections and Practices
Author: Ifeomasinachi Ike
Oh, you thought we were going to talk about health without talking about equity? WRONG. Even though it was just published in late 2023, Ifeoma Ike’s book is changing the design game. A researcher-attorney-activist, Ike uses thought exercises, provoking questions, and guided reflections to encourage designers to take a real equity approach. She challenges the typical corporate DEI paradigm by addressing issues of organizational bias, leadership, and design practice. You need this one.
If you’re just diving into health design: Health design is equitable design. Sure, it’s great to learn about design strategies and methods… but a holistic health designer has also engaged in the deep work. Use this opportunity to reflect on your biases, create safer places, and challenge the status quo.
If you’ve been here a while: The world of design must change. Gone are the days of old, white male CEOs giving directions to old, white male designers. If you are established in the field, your voice can be powerful. Do the internal work with Ifeoma Ike and then change your practice.