SARAH FRANCES MCHUTCHISON
I’m a highly motivated and versatile Graphic & Product Designer with international experience in delivering impactful design solutions across digital, print, and physical environments. Proven ability to lead design projects from concept to delivery, collaborating with global teams and senior stakeholders to bring creative visions to life. Passionate about design, branding, and innovation, with a strong eye for detail and a track record of producing purposeful and inclusive design.
HOW CAN I CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR TEAM
EXPERIENCE
SKILLSET
SOFTWARE
HEALTHCARE GRAPHICS
Designing + Printing + Installing
The distinct graphic animals you'll see on the walls of our Operating Rooms have become a huge part of the KidsOR brand. They serve a special purpose: they are designed to offer reassurance and a colourful distraction for children about to undergo surgery.
An operation is scary, even for adults. Unlike in high-income countries, many of the children in these hospitals aren't under anaesthesia when they enter the Operating Room. They hear the scary sounds from the machines and see surgeons they don't know in scrubs. These designs ensure that children don't feel as scared or anxious.
Design + Printing + Installation Process
Each illustrated graphic begins with a thoughtful and collaborative design process. Our team of designers uses professional software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to create vibrant, child-friendly characters tailored to hospital environments.
I work closely with our local and international partners, including hospital staff and regional artists, to ensure the graphics are culturally appropriate and resonate with the children in each specific location. This collaboration helps us adapt characters and themes to reflect local animals, colours, and stories, making each Operating Room feel more personal and less intimidating.
Once the illustrated graphics are approved, they are printed on medical-grade, durable vinyl using high resolution printers. The material is selected for its suitability in sterile environments: it's easy to clean, resistant to wear, and safe for use in surgical settings. The final graphics are then shipped and installed by trained teams
Every wall we transform becomes more than just decoration it becomes a vital tool in reducing fear and anxiety, turning a daunting experience into something just a little bit brighter for children.
Implementing WHO Surgical Checklist in the Operating Room
Once the installation is complete, and the handover and training processes are in place, I often organise feedback sessions to allow hospital staff to voice their opinions and share their insights with the team. One example of this is the WHO board, which I initially designed after noticing a paper version taped to the wall. After further investigation, I realised the critical role this checklist plays in the Operating Room, not just for the patient but also for the medical staff.
To improve upon the existing system, I integrated the information from the checklist into the design, while also considering the material and size for practical use. After discussions and research, I decided to print the checklist on whiteboard material, allowing staff to adjust, reuse, and adapt the information for each patient.
Throughout the project, staff provided valuable feedback that allowed me to further refine the design. As a result, I added additional space for notes and incorporated the board in multiple languages, including Arabic, Portuguese, and Swahili, to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for all staff members.
I am constantly developing new concepts based on feedback because I believe in the importance of continuous improvement. By incorporating feedback from those directly using the tools, I am able to ensure the service and designs evolve to meet their needs effectively.
DIGITAL + PRINTED REPORTS
Annual Impact Report for Kids Operating Room
The aim of these reports is to illustrate the work Kids Operating Room has achieved over the last year, how far they’ve come and the plans for the future. KidsOR don’t just say they want to improve children's access to surgery or build stronger healthcare systems in low- and middle- income countries. I have designed these reports to be as graphically engaging for the reader as possible, incorporating the organisations branding throughout and illustrating the information clearly and concisly for the reader.
NHS DONATION INFOGRAPHIC
10 Steps to Safe Medical Equipment Donation
In anticipation of how Scotland’s many aid organisations and community groups with overseas connections might respond to the challenges and opportunities of a post-pandemic world, the Chief Medical Officer commissioned a comprehensive review of the standards required for medical equipment donations to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical gaps in healthcare infrastructure globally, highlighting the importance of ensuring that donated medical equipment is safe, appropriate, and sustainable. This review aimed to establish clear, evidence-based guidelines that reflect international best practice, promote ethical and effective donations, and support long-term health system strengthening in recipient countries.
It also sought to ensure that Scotland’s contributions are aligned with local needs, avoid burdening healthcare systems with unusable or unserviceable items, and foster meaningful partnerships rooted in mutual respect and collaboration.
PHOTOGRAPHY CONTENT
Social + Web Content
I’m a versatile photographer with a strong focus on creating high-quality visual content for web and social media. My work is all about capturing authentic, story-driven moments that connect with audiences and elevate brands.
One of my recent collaborations was with Global Hospital, where I played a key role in bringing their brand to life through a thoughtfully curated photo series. This project involved capturing a range of dynamic, people-focused visuals that reflected the organisations values, and commitment to care. The resulting images were featured prominently across their website and social media channels, helping to strengthen their digital presence and connect more meaningfully with their audience
This project demonstrated my ability to blend artistic vision with strategic branding goals, and to deliver content that drives engagement, trust, and recognition in a crowded digital space.
VIDEOGRAPHY CONTENT
Social + Web Content
As a videographer working with KidsOR, I focus on capturing powerful, authentic imagery that tells the story of transformation through surgical care. My work documents the incredible impact of paediatric surgery in under-resourced communities, highlighting the dedication of local medical teams, and the life-changing environments KidsOR helps create.
Each video is aligned with KidsOR’s mission while also being optimised for use across digital platforms, from website storytelling to high-engagement social media content.
FINAL YEAR UNIVERSITY PROJECT
Investigating the Importance of Materials Within Manufacturing
SOURCE encapsulates a variety of different manufacturers across Britain and considers producers’ outlook on sustainable materials, the future of resources currently relied upon and the sourcing of responsible raw materials within Britain.
Source was written to inform consumers about the range of British manufacturers established throughout the UK and aimed to uncover the sourcing of raw materials within British manufacturing. The aims of Source is to highlight responsible and sustainable practices within the manufacturing industry and investigate whether this is evident today, in addition to ascertaining the future practices of responsible and ethical resourcing within manufacturing.
MICROSOFT DESIGN EXPO
Achieving Symbiosis + The Conversational User Interface (CUI)
The Brief
Design a product, service or solution that demonstrates the value and differentiation of the CUI. Your creation should demonstrate the best qualities of a symbiotic human-computer experience which features an interface designed to interpret human language and intent. Of course, language takes many forms – from speech, to text, to gesture, body language, and even thought. Your creation should clearly demonstrate foundational elements the CUI calls upon in order to delight people. It should meet a clear need and be extensible to wider applications. It may be near-term practical or blue sky, but the idea must be innovative, technically feasible, and have a realistic chance of adoption if instantiated. Of course, to deliver an optimal experience, much is implied – from data and identity permissions to cross-app agent and/or bot cooperation and coordination (first and third party); your design should minimally show awareness of these barriers or explore solutions to them.
Prototyping + User Testing
We began with cardboard prototypes before progressing to 3D printing and silicone materials. Through user testing and research workshops, I gathered valuable insights that informed and advanced the development process.
The Outcome
Using an array of sensors (motion, sound, frequency, ambient, light, pressure and heart rate), the concept idea was for Otto to understand the mood of a child, and come 'alive' when it detects that they're in a bad or stressful mood. Then it would open up and speak to the child using the CUI, in order to engage with them and suggest activities to help calm them down. Using the smart sensors it would then know when they're at a lower level of stress, and could refer back to the parent via text to suggest ways for them to then engage further with the child, thus bridging the gap for the parents. Otto was taken forward to the Microsoft Design Expo in Seattle, 2016, where we were awarded ‘Most Inclusively Design’.
Throughout the project, as well as building upon physical making skills and user research, I also worked on brand development, social media management and marketing and presentation skills; including the creation of the final PowerPoint for the conference in Seattle.
