VICTORIA HAMBSCH

Not every expectant parent in Ireland is able to use the HSE Home Birth Service because a significant number of locations across the island are not covered. Due to a limitation in adequate and equitable government funding and staff allocation, no self-employed community midwife (SECM) is available. This indicates a barrier and disadvantage based on geographical location to an essential health service for many individuals and families.

Through my design research practice, I identified that lack of knowledge, lack of availability of community midwives and access to information are key barriers for expecting parents to access a home birth. My research highlighted the need to adequately, and transparently inform, support, and empower pregnant women about their birthing options. I observed that new parents in Ireland are renting inadequate and expensive short-term housing.

My design solution, Bábóg is a social enterprise platform which connects expecting parents who live in an area which is not covered by the HSE under the national home birth strategy with hosts that can offer appropriate short-term accommodation to support them on their journey to a successful and peaceful home birth. Bábóg

Discovering unique user insights is key to my practice as a designer. Several participants that were interviewed through primary research held vital insights, which informed my final design project. Insights obtained from the interviewees were key in guiding a solution due to the clarity and important data collected from each participant.

My design intention is to create awareness of renewable energy in the community. Respondents were aware of its existence but generally not sure what it is or associated benefits. The ESE (phonetically pronounced EASY) calculates the sun’s energy via a LUX sensor and converts the reading into euro. The ESE is selfsufficient with its own PV film and rechargeable battery back-up. The design is intentionally simple for a hassle-free experience.

My design solution is a device that generates awareness for the user about how much money they can save through using the ESE. The product is designed to promote the installation of PV panels by estimating potential savings on energy bills. It allows the user to see the positive benefit PV panels will have on their energy bill. It displays savings on a clear screen. As a designer focused on sustainability, my product is a bridge between saving the environment and saving financially for a greener future.