Hayden Currie

Google HEALTH futures

Google AIUX approached Lauk Haus to illustrate the future of healthcare with artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Incorporating insights from more than 30 domain experts at Google, the presented concepts challenged teams at Google to “imagine a future in which technology help people live dramatically healthier lives.” The illustrations increased the visibility of Health AI and sparked cross-Google collaborations. My role on this project was to envision initial concepts, define the style direction, create sketches, art direct, and execute illustrations.

Role

Creative Direction, Illustration

TeAM

Krystal Lauk (Creative Director)
Hayden Currie (Illustrator) David Lantz (Illustrator)

OVERVIEW & PROCESS

Google AIUX advocates for the responsible application of artificial intelligence to benefit all of humanity. As an advocacy group, Google AIUX influences other teams at Google to develop emerging technologies with a human-centric approach. At the start of the project, Google AIUX provided a pitch deck with copy and inspiration images. The project was kicked off with ideating concepts to accompany the value propositions, followed by explorations of the style. Since AI can seem intimidating and threatening, hand-drawn strokes and watercolor washes represent the potential symbiotic relationship between humans and AI. When approached carefully and thoughtfully, AI can increase access and lower healthcare costs. To illustrate this aspirational goal, I depicted characters in communal scenes, showing how AI can help people live more active lives.

Sketches

To demonstrate the potential of AI to revolutionize healthcare, I focused on showcasing ambient health monitoring on personal and home devices. The scenes depict abundant plant life and green technologies such as solar panels and windmills to reinforce the impression of wellbeing and balance with the environment.

Color Palette

Colors inspired by landscapes such as ocean teal, sage green, and indigo create a sense of calmness and relaxation. Bright colors add contrast and convey optimism for a hopeful future. Skin tones swatches are from the Monk Skin Tone Scale used by Google.

STYLE

The settings are depicted in daylight to convey optimism. The illustration style required the use of multiple brushes and two software programs to achieve a handmade effect with imperfections. Having established the style with client approval, I guided another illustrator to complete the remaining illustrations.

Final deliverables

The final illustrations showcased the use of AI and emerging technologies in different areas of the world. I rendered environments and clothing in soft watercolors to maintain focus on the faces of the characters. Upon delivery, Google AIUX stakeholders remarked that the illustrations “brought the story to life.”