HappyHugs
A Little Patch of Life

Creating connection, comfort, and normalcy for children in hospitals.
A modular blanket system designed to foster connection and emotional well-being for children in hospitals, through customizable patches created by loved ones.
Situation: When a Hospital Room Becomes a World
For many pediatric patients, hospital rooms are not just temporary spaces but become their entire world. During our visits to the Children’s Hospital of Atlanta (CHOA), we saw firsthand how these sterile environments failed to meet children’s emotional needs.
The rooms felt cold and impersonal, with plain white ceilings, harsh fluorescent lights, and walls lined with medical equipment.
This physical space mirrored a deeper emotional reality:
1
Children felt isolated from their loved ones & everyday routines.
2
Families struggled to provide emotional support in meaningful ways.
3
Volunteers & activities helped but often felt fleeting or impersonal.

It was clear that beyond medical care, children needed something that would connect them to their sense of self, family, and normalcy—something they could hold onto and grow with during their stay.
The Goal: Designing for Subjective Well-Being
Inspired by the principles of Positive Design, we aimed to create a product that could address the unique emotional needs of pediatric patients by focusing on:
1
Pleasure: Bringing moments of joy and comfort.
2
Personal Significance: Reflecting the child’s identity and connections.
3
Virtue: Strengthening bonds with loved ones and fostering care.
Our challenge was to design something that was evidence-based, creative, and feasible while being accessible and inclusive for children aged 6-8 years old.
Discovering the Problem: Listening to the Experts
To understand the problem more deeply, we combined literature research with on-site observations and interviewswith children, parents, and hospital staff.
What We Learned
1
Children’s Subjective Well-Being (SWB): Their self-assessment of happiness often hinged on emotional connection and a sense of normalcy.
2
Family Connections: Strong ties with loved ones played a critical role in children’s emotional resilience.
3
Creative Activities: Arts and crafts gave children a sense of control, self-expression, and engagement, helping them cope with stress.
It was clear that beyond medical care, children needed something that would connect them to their sense of self, family, and normalcy—something they could hold onto and grow with during their stay.
Introducing Happy Hugs
Happy Hugs is a modular blanket system where kids customize patches designed by their loved ones. Each patch becomes a personal story—whether it’s a sibling’s drawing or a heartfelt message from a friend. The blanket evolves with the child, reflecting their unique journey and interests.
How it works
Service
The process is quick, accessible, and rooted in emotional connection.