Mental Health + Design

Health is impacted through design and has the power to induce positive shifts in thought and behavior to improve overall wellbeing. The brain has the ability to heal the body through the practice of neuroplasticity by creating pathways to rewire old programming for ultimate healing. In an ideal world the practices of natural medicine blended with modern medicine for an immersive healing experience.

Chances are you’ve been to a hospital more times than you ever wanted. You mostly likely experience a wave of sadness and ick attached to hospital memories. The distinct smells and coldness of the long hallways slathered with out dated art work leave a haunting imprint. Imagine what a hospital experience could be like if the care of health was treated holistically for full mind and body healing. Colors, art, music, activities, smells and personal treatment would contribute to recovery rather than creating a revolving door effect. Thankfully, some well-known hospitals are starting to incorporate design into their patient spaces and how patience are engaged while in recovery. It will be nice to one day see hospital menus evolve into fresh, whole, organic healing spices and foods based on the individual needs of patients.

Emergency medicine is an incredible area of health care with so many lives being saved by brilliant practitioners. The waiting rooms, however, are anxiety inducing and heart breaking to see people suffering for up to twenty hours or longer. These areas desperately need a shake up. Maybe hospital redesign will be next on the list for natalini design to contribute concepts for combining design with wellness. (winky face)

Photo by: Total Shape @totalshape

Wing of a Butterfly

Wing of a Butterfly is a rendering of a photo of a butterfly. This butterfly had a mid-century modern art pattern on its wings. The really butterfly had a sharp contrast of black and white. Originally, the butterfly was purchased at the Little Italy Art Walk event in San Diego from a woman who preserved butterflies and placed them in acrylic frames. At first, it seemed like a possibly cruel process, however, this particular butterfly was so incredibly bold and beautiful it could not be overlooked. Sadly, after a long move, the encased butterfly is hopefully in the possession of someone who appreciates it just as much. Here is a little piece of this beautiful being. Wing of a Butterfly measures 12600 x 16800 px. Wing of a Butterfly is available now!

© natalini

Vincenza

Meet Vincenza (VIN-CHEN-ZA) is made from stainless steel and hangs delicately from a black chain. Vincenza means “the one who conquered,” so naturally she pairs well with a strong, silent killer type of personality with a love of modern architecture. Vincenza is lightweight, yet makes her stunning presence known from a block away. Vincenza is available now!

Not gonna lie, this one is going to be hard to part with.

natalini

Wellness By Design

Here is a little challenge to create some wellness by design. Start by taking three to five books that you love or ones you keep accessible. One at a time open each book to a random page and read the first paragraph or whole page that draws your eye. Next, write down a quick sentence or two about what you read in a notebook. You can write the book title next to the description if you’d like. Once the summaries are written notice if there are similarities to what you have randomly accumulated from your chosen books. You may be surprised to find that those excerpts have a common thread and most likely a message for you. Interpret it how you may, but just enjoy the exercise.

Photo by: Süd Wachs @videmuscart

"Before the After"

“Before the After” is a black & white photo taken with a Nikon film camera on the streets of Little Italy in San Diego. One of my favorite things to do while living in San Diego was to wander aimlessly and take pictures of interesting compositions that caught my eye. San Diego is home to endless beautiful scapes, yet this haphazard and juxtaposed metal and concrete got me. Before the After measures 1192 pixels x 1506 pixels.

Before the After is available now.