Exhibition of Happiness
Ma project, Graphic Design Falmouth University
A conceptual interactive exhibition designed to uplift the mood of my local town. By incorporating interactive installations, vibrant visuals, and emotionally engaging elements into public spaces, the goal was to create a sense of joy, connection, and optimism through playful, interactive design.
Happy mart is a whimsical installation transforming a disused shop into a space where the shelves are full of playful food items and joy is the only currency.
A joke dispenser door activated at the press of the button. Situated on the wall of the local supermarket with jokes submitted from local school children.
A sensory installation featuring inflatable balloons suspended from the ceiling. An audio recording of contagious laughter is activated as people walk through the alley.
Suspended above a bustling road, a large motivational quote reminds pedestrians to stay hopeful and inspired.
A playful soft dog figure designed as a photo opportunity and a tactile exhibit.
A billboard that transformed into a street party with a spinning disco ball and an upbeat playlist.
A wooden frame positioned in the Oxhay area of the town invites visitors to look for the beauty in their surroundings.
A large inflatable 'cloud 9' placed on the town's iconic bass tower, symbolising joy and optimism.
Development
I wanted to reach as many people as possible so an exhibition that was predominantly outside and with all exhibits in public spaces felt like the perfect solution. This allowed for accessibility, spontaneity, and connection. By placing the pieces around the town people could either follow a map to view the exhibition in sequence or come across installations by chance during their daily commute or while out and about. Hosting the exhibition in public spaces removed barriers like entry fees and ensured that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, could enjoy it.
I spent time researching what truly makes people feel happy, some of the most consistent sources of joy I found included petting an animal, listening to music, dancing, and being in nature. I also explored colour theory to select a mood enhancing palette.
