In late 1995, 3M announced a corporate restructuring resulting in significant layoffs. The company anticipated anxiety among those being offered early retirement packages and those left behind with an increased workload. The Employee Services department wanted a tool to provide as part of a counseling program for distressed 3M workers. The tool would be distributed by counselors, occupational nurses, and H-R managers.

Our challenges were to meet a six-week deadline from client input to delivery, and make the kit eye-catching, but not expensive-looking. The result was a tool kit housed in an inexpensive die-cut container; cassette tape of breathing exercises and relaxation techniques, a whimsically illustrated bound booklet, and a stress “primer.”