DOI: 10.1017/pds.2026.10678 ISSN: 2732-527X

“P-Heroes”: designing a superhero family for pediatric urinary incontinence care

Lola Bladt, Anka Nieuwhof-Leppink, Rose-Farah Blomme, Jiri Vermeulen, Alexandra Vermandel, Gunter De Win, Lukas Van Campenhout

ABSTRACT:

This study presents the “P-Heroes”, a superhero family designed through a Research through Design process to support children with urinary incontinence. Inspired by children’s own superhero drawings, expert input, and validation sessions with children, the design evolved through iterative prototyping. Each hero embodies traits such as persistence, comfort, emotional regulation, resilience and structure. Together, the “P-Heroes” reflect the diversity of children’s journeys toward continence and serve as a playful conversation starter to help them express their needs and experiences more openly.

More from our Archive