How public spaces can spark joy
I'm always collecting images of unexpected things I see out and about.
After a recent creative inspiration break to Amsterdam, the ‘Random cool things’ folder on my phone got a decent top up.
As I wandered (often cycled) around the streets of Amsterdam, I couldn’t help but stop every 5 seconds to capture something that made me smile.
Things like;
😊 Giant bug hotels in the street
😊 Unexpected pathways through raised beds filled with wild flowers
😊 Beautiful murals
😊 Perfectly positioned benches, surrounded by flowers
😊 Streets that prioritised nature and bikes
It really is a city that feels like it’s been designed to spark joy and also put sustainability first. The dream combination.
It got me thinking about how graphic design, art and urban place-making crossover and have the potential to create spaces that improve our daily lives through the simple aim of sparking joy.
Some joy-spiration:
👉 I stumbled across designer Ingrid Fetell Lee’s work that’s all about the aesthetics of joy (think bubbles, air balloons etc.). Ingrid’s article ’11 public art installations that create big joy’ is a great and I look forward to reading 'Joyful'.
👉 I also love how Playable City are using creative technology installations to invite play in public space.
👉And Pop-Up City's latest newsletter featuring how Amsterdam is celebrating its 750th birthday (featuring Op de Ring — a weekend-long transformation of the city’s A10 ring road into a stage for fun runs, concerts, a pop-up forest, weddings and more) just confirmed how cool the city really is.
👀 Would you like to see more joyful design in public spaces? If so, what?
🧐 Any inspiration or people I should know about?
👋 I'm Michelle. A multidisciplinary designer creating positive change. Get in touch if you’d like to chat about how I could help you inspire social and sustainable action through design: