JOY! - interactive hospital platform
how can we make hospital stays less lonely for kids and teens?
this question guided the creation of JOY!, a game-based platform designed during a master’s at LCI Barcelona. developed with hospital Sant Joan de Déu, JOY! combines a mobile app and a large shared screen to spark play, connection, and relief during long-term hospitalizations.
the challenge
extended hospital stays often lead to boredom, isolation, and anxiety for young patients. although hospitals offer social rooms, these spaces were underused—mostly by adults, not children.
how might design transform underused hospital social rooms into spaces that foster connection, relief, and play for children and teens during long stays?
the research process
our research combined contextual methods such as ethnographic observation and institutional interviews to reveal how children and teens cope with isolation, disrupted routines, and vulnerability during hospitalization. we approached this in three stages:
our mixed-method approach created a bridge between theory and practice, helping us identify patterns and opportunities for design. the cards that follow present the core insights:
the solution
based on our findings, we designed a dual model:
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a mobile application that children can access individually from the rooms, offering low-pressure interaction, avatar customization, and simple games.
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a large shared screen in hospital social rooms that invites group participation and spontaneous encounters.
at the core of both formats are simple, inclusive games — chosen as the main tool to spark play, connection, and relief during hospitalization.
early sketches exploring how the app could connect isolated patients with the social rooms
| visual identity
at this stage the name JOY! was born — short, bold, and instantly positive. the visual identity followed the same spirit: bright colors, retro-inspired graphics, and a playful tone that feels more like gen z culture than a hospital.​​
| user journey
by mapping and visualizing each interaction, we identified possible friction points (such as login or chat discoverability) and ensured the flow could adapt seamlessly to two contexts: patients playing alone in their rooms, and groups engaging on the shared screen in social spaces.
| low-fi wireframes
based on the research insights, we explored games as the main medium for playful connection. instead of competitive models, the focus was on formats that are inclusive, non-verbal, and easy to understand across ages and languages.​​​​
| hi-fi wireframes
after wireframes, we built hi-fi prototypes in Figma, applying the JOY! visual identity. the main evolution from low-fi was the use of larger elements, bolder colors, and playful micro-interactions to make the interface clearer and more engaging.
the large-screen version for social rooms followed the same concepts as the mobile app, adapting layouts and interactions to encourage group play and shared presence.
| prototype
the working prototype of JOY! demonstrates how children and teens can navigate the app, play games, and connect with peers, supporting engagement and social interaction in both private rooms and shared social spaces.
the results
we tested the prototype with teenagers to evaluate clarity, navigation, and engagement. beyond usability, the goal was to understand what truly drives connection in this context. the main findings are presented in the cards below:
beyond the individual tests, we presented the prototype to staff at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu. their feedback was highly positive: they highlighted the project’s potential for implementation and expressed interest in moving forward with institutional integration. this validation reinforces that JOY! not only resonates with users but also aligns with the hospital’s vision for improving pediatric patient experience.​
presenting JOY! to the hospital team