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Healing Environment | About Video Windows

Evidence Based Design (EBD) is based on research regarding characteristics associated with improving patient acceptance/healing in a hospital environment. In the most general sense, EBD suggests that art which is unambiguous, familiar, non-threatening, realistic and comprised largely of uncomplicated colors does the best job of promoting healing, feelings of well-being and optimism. When we find ourselves in the hospital, anxiety abounds. Most people simply want to get well enough to leave and get back to their “normal” lives, whatever that may be. We make Moving Pictures to facilitate this process. Video Windows are just that; pictures that move. We focus on a specific, well-defined environment that’s familiar, unremarkable (but attractive) and sufficiently complex to be interesting. The photographer has one day (and one day only) to do the shoot. His task is to introduce us to the environment as if we were there with him, moving from one item or place to another. Who (what) gets “interviewed” and who (what) does not is entirely the photographer’s choice. It’s his trip. We see, meet and evaluate the environment through his eyes.

The “interviews” which flesh-out the visit take place in full HD (1920x1080i) in video clips which are compiled and edited to produce a 45minute to 1 hour video that loops continuously until stopped by the viewer. The videos provide a serene, beautiful series of images with sounds that were either selected to complement the subject matter or were produced by the subject matter itself (eg, the sound of waves on the beach). Some environments express themselves most fully using the sounds associated with the place at that time, on that day. Some need music. It all depends on the context.

Do Video Windows work? Yes, they do. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the mere presence of a Video Window playing relaxes the listener/watcher. More intriguing is the fact that the effect seems to generalize. While designed to produce a window to a familiar, normal world for critically ill patients, Video Windows affect perfectly healthy adults as well as, surprisingly, children.

During a high-stress business meeting, a Video Window quietly playing on a flat screen in the room seems to help participants focus, reduce aggressive or combative actions and produce more productive results than meetings without a Video Window. More surprisingly, children appear to be drawn to the quiet imagery and soothing sounds. Often they’ll bring what might be termed a 'primary activity' (coloring) over to the display, set up camp and take little 'breaks'from their activity to watch the screen. It’s a remarkable effect that’s more reliable than we ever thought it might be.

The Video Windows videos are gentle, quiet, contemplative and relevant. They have a pace, a purpose and provide a momentary break from ongoing cognitive tasks. For the critically ill, a Video Window provides a non-challenging means to a quiet recovery. Yet Video Windows are crafted not to insult this audience’s intelligence. They’re created to engage this audience, subtly balancing the fact that the patient is physically tired and ill with the recognition that within each patient, there exists an ongoing search for stimulation and mental escape.