To create the Printed by Parkinson’s collection, we used the medical data from Parkinson’s patients to affect a machine with a human disease for the first time.
We recorded the kinetic and neurological data from each patient and used it to create 6 unique data sets. Then we 3D-printed their most beloved object while the printer was affected by their personal tremor data – visualising the impact Parkinson’s is having on the daily lives of patients.
Background
Over 10 million people in the world are living with Parkinson’s. Every 9 minutes someone is diagnosed – making it the fastest-growing neurological disorder in the world. Even though Parkinson’s was first diagnosed in 1817, there is still no cure.
Most people only know Parkinson’s as the “Shaking-disease”. But Parkinson’s is a complex disease with more than 40 symptoms which always develop differently. Due to a lack of awareness patients are frequently misjudged as being drunk or mentally insane – and often choose to socially isolate themselves. To break this stigma, it’s important that patients share their stories.
As Parkinson’s rarely gets media attention, we needed an innovative concept that would break through the clutter stressing the urge for more understanding and research.
Describe the Creative idea / data solution (20% of vote)
Together with Charité Berlin, one of Europe’s largest University Hospitals, we launched Printed by Parkinson’s – an art collection created by the first machine affected with a human disease.
We asked six patients to name an object that became difficult to use due to Parkinson’s. Then we recorded their kinetic and neurological data to create 6 unique data sets. Every object was 3D-printed according to the tremor data of each patient – visualising the impact Parkinson's is having on their daily lives.
The collection was launched on World Brain Day and exhibited in Berlin, Online, the stories educated people on the first signs, the variety of symptoms, and the latest treatments. Today, the collection is permanently exhibited in the Neurology Department at Charité.
Describe the data driven strategy (30% of vote)
We needed a concept that would break through the clutter. An idea that would communicate the impact of Parkinson’s quickly and would engage people to learn more.
We believed the collection would make the biggest impact if the objects represented personal stories. So, we decided to use the personal medical data to affect a 3D-printer with their personal tremor data. The data would help to visualise the daily struggle of Parkinson’s with a variety of symptoms.
Two targets: we wanted to educate the general public by making a visual representation of a problem you can’t explain in one sentence. These visually striking objects engaged people to learn the stories of the patients behind the objects, educating them on the first signs, the progression of the disease, and the latest treatments. Secondly, we wanted to inspire all patients to not isolate themselves but to open up and share their stories.
Describe the creative use of data, or how the data enhanced the creative output (30% of vote)
We used the kinetic and neurological data of Parkinson’s patients to visualise the impact Parkinson’s is having on their daily lives.
The data enabled us to make a complex problem tangible through art. When people see the objects, they instantly understand the devastating impact of Parkinson’s. The data played a crucial role in educating the public and making Parkinson’s patients feel that they were better understood in our society.
List the data driven results (20% of vote)
The launch exhibition was visited by hundreds of people from different kinds of fields – from doctors to Parkinson’s patients and art lovers.
The collection was broadcasted during the evening news on national television in Germany. It was published in international health magazines, design blogs, media outlets, and widely shared across the global Parkinson’s community.
The collection was exhibited at Health Conferences – reigniting a global debate on the importance of more understanding and research. Multiple patients from different countries contacted us to ask if they could participate in our project and share their story. This shows that the Printed by Parkinson’s collection created a positive change within the international Parkinson’s community.