Ma project, Graphic Design Falmouth University
A conceptual public exhibition exploring how design can positively influence mood. Informed by research into the psychology of happiness, the project introduces playful, interactive interventions into everyday spaces, encouraging moments of joy, connection and shared optimism.
Press Play
This interactive billboard transforms a quiet street into a pop-up dance floor. When the button is pressed, music begins and a disco ball lights up the space, creating a shared moment of joy in an unexpected setting.
Grounded in research showing that music and movement boost mood and connection, the installation invites people to pause, let go and dance.
Laughing Alley
A dark passageway is transformed into a space of unexpected sound and shared amusement. As visitors walk beneath the suspended HA HA balloons, hidden speakers trigger bursts of laughter, interrupting routine with a moment of surprise.
Grounded in research showing laughter is contagious and can instantly boost mood, the piece invites connection through simple, spontaneous reaction.
Knock Knock
An oversized yellow door sits on the wall of the shopping centre invites passersby to stop. When the button is pressed, a joke card appears, turning an ordinary walkway into a moment of shared humour.
Inspired by research linking laughter with improved mood and connection, the installation encourages people to pause, read and laugh. Each joke has been written by local school children, bringing community voices into the heart of the town.
Approach
To reach as many people as possible, the exhibition was positioned entirely within public spaces across Burton upon Trent. By removing barriers such as entry fees and formal gallery settings, the work became accessible, spontaneous and integrated into daily life. Visitors could follow a printed map to experience the installations sequentially, or encounter them unexpectedly during their routine.
Research into the psychology of happiness informed the content of each intervention. Consistent sources of joy identified included touch, laughter, music, movement and connection. These findings directly shaped the interactive nature of the installations. Colour theory was also explored to develop a vibrant, mood-enhancing visual identity.
Buster
An oversized dog inviting touch, interaction and a moment of calm, inspired by research into the mood boosting effects of petting animals.
An oversized dog inviting touch, interaction and a moment of calm, inspired by research into the mood boosting effects of petting animals.
A Change of Scenery
A freestanding frame in the encouraging visitors to reframe their surroundings and pause in the present moment.
A freestanding frame in the encouraging visitors to reframe their surroundings and pause in the present moment.
Cloud 9
A monumental inflatable cloud placed on a local landmark with projections of the sky, turning a common phrase into a public declaration of joy.
A monumental inflatable cloud placed on a local landmark with projections of the sky, turning a common phrase into a public declaration of joy.
Hey You! A large affirmation installed above a busy road introduces a moment of positivity into the daily commute, bringing encouragement into an otherwise routine urban landscape.
