The Self-Care Box reimagines the often medical and static narrative around HIV testing and awareness in a more soft, inviting and accessible approach. Reframing the rhetoric and imagery within the aesthetic and dialogue of self-care. The box and contents were created using Blender as a proposal for the larger HIV SPACES campaign which is currently in development by artist Douglas Jardim.

Douglas Jardim’s HIV SPACES campaign encourages more community-oriented approaches to HIV testing and awareness. The best thing we can do to protect and support each other is to protect and educate ourselves, and the role of The Self-Care Box is to popularise and supplement this initial step in the campaign. The box contents and their names are inspired by good HIV practices and promoting supportive and inclusive attitudes toward those living with HIV. The branding and custom glassware feature a stylised blood drop intended to create familiarity and comfort with taking a blood sample during an at-home test, one of which would be supplied alongside the box to promote testing.