Story Lines

Why this topic?

 Besides mental health disorders being one of the largest causes of disability in the world (according to WHO statics in 2024), it is also something that has been a personal topic for me lately. It seems, as if out of habits, we tell each other we're doing "fine" way too quickly. The stigma surrounding mental health doesn't help either. It creates fear. A feeling of "shame" when needing help, or just someone to talk to. I have always wanted to make a difference with my design. So, for the individual project at Avans University Den Bosch, I have decided to try my best to create a possible solution. A way to help people share their stories without shame and create new, meaningful memories that way. 

What is Story Lines?

Story Lines is an interactive installation that encourages meaningful conversations through a shared activity. The project was developed in response to the difficulty many people experience when talking openly about their mental well-being. Rather than focusing directly on mental health, Story Lines creates a comfortable environment in which conversations arise naturally. Participants sit down together and answer four reflective questions about their lives, experiences and aspirations. Instead of writing down their answers, they select small symbolic charms that represent their responses. Each symbol carries a meaning, allowing participants to build a visual representation of their conversation. At the end of the activity, they count which symbol they chose most often and exchange it for a larger promise charm that represents a personal intention for the future, such as self-compassion, growth or hope. The smaller charms are left on a communal display, creating a collective visualization of shared experiences. 

By combining physical interaction, symbolic storytelling and conversation prompts, Story Lines lowers the threshold for discussing personal topics. The installation demonstrates how design can facilitate social connection, reflection and empathy, while leaving participants with both a meaningful conversation and a tangible reminder of the promise they made to themselves.

Beauty in creation

While working on this project, people around me have become more open, honest and willing to learn about mental health. My family has started asking each other and colleagues, how they're really doing. 

Also classmates and fellow students have learnt that, perhaps, there's more going on inside their friend's mind than they knew before. 

Even though I have been able to prove that Story Lines is able to help people start talking about difficult topics, it has also been a beautiful process. One that clearly, has not ended yet. 

If given more time, I would've loved to be able to explore this even further. 

For now, I truly hope this has inspired people, both creators and users, to talk more openly about their mental health and find ways to create new, meaningful memories.