Essay
Mental Health Stigma and Neurodiverse Design as a Wicked Problem
12/10/2025
Abstract
Design theory is the understanding of choices we make as designers, and the reasons behind those choices. Design is not just about aesthetics; it is how and why certain spaces, materials, and systems work together and affect people using them. In many cases, design problems are “wicked problems,” meaning they are complex, interconnected, and have no single or perfect solution. Recognizing this helps designers approach challenges with flexibility and critical thinking, understanding that each design decision impacts others. One such wicked problem is the issue of mental health stigma and neurodivergent design in hospitals. Hospitals are intended to be places of healing, yet their environments can increase stress, sensory overload, and emotional discomfort for neurodivergent patients. This problem is “wicked” because it involves competing needs between systems and codes with human comfort and sensory sensitivity. Not one person feels the same in an environment, and it is up to the designer to ensure that people feel safe and comfortable in hospital spaces, therefore making this a “wicked” design challenge.
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Details
- Title
- Mental Health Stigma and Neurodiverse Design as a Wicked Problem
- Creators
- Darby Berry (Author)
- Academic Unit
- Design Theory in Action: Student Explorations of Wicked Problems
- Identifiers
- 99901366798601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Essay
- Course Name
- Theory of Design; ID 312