When hospitals consider upgrading their pediatric spaces with custom theming, they often encounter complex challenges that impact timelines, budgets, and outcomes. At Imagination Design Studios (IDS), we’ve partnered with hospitals and healthcare networks across North America to deliver immersive, anxiety-reducing spaces that are as practical as they are magical.
Below, we’re answering the most common questions we hear from Patient Experience Directors, Facility Managers, and Design Committees.
Answers to Your Top Patient Experience and Facility Design FAQs
1. How can IDS help us stick to our project budget?
Challenge: Custom designs and unpredictable material costs often lead to budget overruns.
Our Answer: IDS uses historical data from hundreds of past projects to accurately forecast costs upfront. You’ll receive a clearly scoped proposal with fixed design hours and reliable estimates. Plus, because our sculpting, painting, and coating are all done in-house, we reduce the risk of cost creep from third-party vendors. The durable materials we use are not only long-lasting but help lower lifecycle costs too.
- Detailed Upfront Scoping: IDS provides clear proposals with fixed design hours and material estimates based on past project data.
- In-House Fabrication: With control over sculpting, painting, and hardcoating, IDS minimizes third-party dependencies and surprise costs.
- Proven Materials: IDS uses durable, known-cost materials (e.g., proprietary hardcoat) that hold up over time, reducing lifecycle costs.
Outcome: Fewer budget surprises, accurate quotes, and smoother approvals with finance teams.
2. We’re managing multiple capital projects. Can IDS help reduce our workload?
Challenge: Juggling multiple installs with limited internal resources leads to delays and inefficiencies.
Our Answer: IDS assigns a dedicated project manager to your project who handles everything from design coordination to install logistics. We offer scalable theming options that can be repeated across locations, helping you standardize the experience. And if you’re phasing your upgrades, we’ll build a rollout plan that fits your schedule.
- Dedicated Project Managers: A single point of contact tracks timelines, approvals, and production across multiple installs.
- Modular Design Process: IDS builds scalable, repeatable themed components that can be installed at multiple locations simultaneously.
- Flexible Phasing: Rollouts can be staged to accommodate hospital schedules and minimize disruption.
Outcome: Projects stay on track and under control, even when spread across campuses/facilities.
3. How does IDS ensure consistent quality across all spaces?
Challenge: Varying design execution can cause reputational damage and higher maintenance costs.
Our Answer: All design, fabrication, and finishing are handled by our in-house team to ensure uniformity across every sculpture, mural, or play zone. Our materials are commercial-grade, our coatings are impact- and scratch-resistant, and everything is made to withstand the rigors of hospital environments. We also build with code compliance in mind, from fire safety to ADA accessibility.
- Centralized Design Team: All concepts, revisions, and fabrication go through IDS’s in-house team, ensuring visual consistency.
- Safety + Compliance Built-In: IDS designs meet rigorous fire codes, infection control standards, and ADA accessibility guidelines.
- Tested Durability: Products are designed for high-traffic, healthcare environments and used by major pediatric hospitals across North America.
Outcome: Predictable quality and safety across every installation, from lobby to playroom.
4. We’ve had communication issues with past vendors. How do you keep everyone aligned?
Challenge: Miscommunication about designs often leads to confusion, rework, and unmet expectations.
Our Answer: We don’t expect you to interpret blueprints. Our team provides 3D renderings, sketches, and clear visuals so you can easily share the vision with child life teams, donors, or your board. Feedback loops are built into our process, so revisions happen early, before production begins. You’ll always know what to expect.
- 3D Renderings + Sketches: Visual mockups make it easy for stakeholders to understand the vision and give fast feedback.
- Collaborative Revisions: IDS encourages input from child life specialists, marketing, and facilities to refine the space for real-world use.
- Storytelling Approach: IDS helps bring a cohesive theme to life that’s easy to explain to donors and families alike.
Outcome: Fewer revisions, aligned expectations, and excited stakeholders.
5. How do you stay current with design and safety trends so we don’t have to?
Challenge: Hospital leaders don’t always have time to keep up with changes in theming, safety standards, and family experience trends.
Our Answer: This is where IDS shines. Theming pediatric environments is what we do, every day. We stay current on the latest in safety compliance, engagement best practices, and donor-worthy visual storytelling, so you don’t have to. We also provide planning guides and resources to help you make a compelling case internally.
- Experts in Pediatric Spaces: IDS specializes in child-focused healthcare theming and stays updated on industry trends.
- Thought Leadership Content: IDS provides guides, checklists, and inspiration portfolios to help teams plan with confidence.
- Turnkey Solutions: With IDS, hospitals don’t have to be the experts in theming, just the decision-makers.
Outcome: Directors look innovative without having to be trend-chasers themselves.
Let’s Build Something That Works for Kids – And for You!
You don’t need to have all the answers, just the vision. IDS is here to bring that vision to life while solving your biggest project management pain points along the way.
Want to talk through a space you’re working on? Get in touch with our team!
