Elements of Pattern

Can a simple pattern-making activity improve mental health and wellbeing?

Can a simple pattern-making activity improve mental health and wellbeing?
That’s the question EPIC is helping Elements of Pattern answer with the development of their mindfulness app. Intended to provide a creative, relaxing activity for a variety of users, app users can select a tile from an interactive palette and place it on an 8 x 8 grid. The tiles can be rotated by double tapping, and tiles can be added from the palette and repositioned until a pattern is completed.
The unique designs that are created can then be shared with others or displayed as works of art. The creators are hoping to explore whether the app has potential to be used in a variety of healthcare situations, including engaging older persons, people with dementia, and those with learning difficulties or learning disabilities.
Some of the aims of the app include:
  • Increasing/unlocking creativity
  • Providing an outlet for self-expression
  • Supporting mindfulness
  • Supporting de-escalation
  • Improving focus/reducing boredom
  • Increasing wellbeing
  • Introducing mathematical patterns/tessellation
  • Supporting braintraining/brain stimulating activities
Background
Originally created as a physical game made out of 64 wooden blocks, Elements of Pattern was designed by Cornish artist, Robert Jones.
Robert became interested in exploring the potential wellbeing benefits of his product after local GP Dr. Tim Rogers, who has 35 years’ medical experience, endorsed its therapeutic benefits for children with learning difficulties:.
"I recently watched a child with slight learning difficulties spend an hour creating his own personal design. He was absorbed and mesmerised for the time and when finished it was wonderful to see the joy and sense of achievement when he proudly showed his parents."
Elements of Pattern
How has EPIC helped Elements of Pattern?
Elements of Pattern approached EPIC in the spring of 2022 in the early stages of developing their digital product, looking for funding and innovation support. EPIC helped the company secure a student intern to help develop the app, and later coordinated an additional marketing internship to help the company promote their product.
Following consultations with EPIC researchers Toni Page and Nicole Thomas, EPIC agreed to further long-term collaboration with Elements of Pattern, during which they referred the company to disability support group Purple to participate in the accessibility audit process to ensure that their digital presence is as user friendly to as many people as possible. A referral to ORCHA enabling a baseline assessment of the app will also place it in a strong position for digital accreditation.
What’s next for Elements of Pattern?
Following their collaboration with a student app developer, Elements of Pattern now have a working product that they are soon hoping to release through the App Store.
To round out their support of Elements of Pattern, Toni and Nicole have helped introduce the company to relevant academics in the Faculty of Arts, directed them to potential avenues of support for completing future funding applications, and provided a detailed framework for focus group sessions when the app is ready to test. They have also conducted an overview of similar apps on the market that would be potential competitors. Elements of Pattern are now in a strong position to explore their proof of concept ahead of releasing the app to the general public.