Research on contagious happiness

I found a few interesting writings on studies done on contagious happiness. These recent scientific research show that the level of happiness can increase within one's social network. Also, how one's happiness level can be closely affected by people surrounding them, even strangers.

British Medical Journal written by James H Fowler (professor at the University of California) and Nicholas Christakis (Harvard professor)

Here's how other publications/individuals have responded
US News and World Report
New York Times: Health: Image: Contagious Happiness
Scientific American Podcast
Merv Benson: Contagious Happiness
Scott Lazerson: Contagious Happiness
Globe and Mail: Happiness is Contagious
Healthy Ontario

Here's My Plan...

Having decided to use pennant flags as the visual metaphor of my project is not enough. I started looking at the possibilities this could bring. With a kind reminder from an instructor saying that we only have 7 weeks lefts, I had to nail down the deliverables.

A Happy Kit (This is the name for now, I'll think more on it)

1. Book
- Photographs, illustrations, and my own writing about happiness (eg. stories I've heard, experiences, childhood memories, etc...).
- My goal for the raw materials in the book (for now...):
- 8-10 photographs
- 8-10 illustrations
- 20 short writing entries
- Instruction of the making the flags (vector illustrations)
* the number would be more solid once I've sketched out my plan
- Concept:
- Make it open-ended (illustrations and writings)
- Bridge the gap between the reality and imagination with the combination of photography and illustration.

2. Printed Flags (to be photographed)
- 6 to 8 good word combos.
- print 20-30 for each word combo.
- white on solid coloured flags
- sewn individual velcros
- blank flags (include in the kit)

3. Posters
- Illustration-heavy posters
- I'm aiming for 3-5
- Use of the flags as the subject and derive bold and imaginative illustrations.

4. A housing device for the components.

......... okay, let me get onto it. My goal this week is to finish the copy materials I need to write and sketch out my plan for the photo shoot.

Fun Stuff from Value Village

Here are some stuff I found from Value Village. The nostalgic typography and use of colours is so much fun! I couldn't resist.

Thanks, friends!

Thanks to Ellen, Ginger, and Mandy who've all thought of me when they were surfing and found this. Alex Ostrowski is a young and talented designer from UWE Bristol who made The Happiest Book in the World. Unfortunately, only one coy exists.

The Happiest Book by Alex Ostrowski
In one way or another we are all looking for happiness. Some people even say that man's sole purpose for existence is to hunt down and capture this intangible and elusive treasure. In 2006 researchers at The University of Leicester concluded that Denmark is the happiest country in the world - this was good enough for me. In March 2008 I made the decision to visit happiness, and embarked upon a pilgrimage to find it. My experiences are presented in this book.

Pennant Flags

Pennant flags. YES! They are so much fun. These colourful triangular flags always remind of time when I was really happy. The immediate smile that I realized I have on my face seeing these flags trigger ideas of including these flags as the "main character" of my project.

So, I started making my prototype 1.0 testing its size, typefaces, word combinations, and so on.

Less overthinking = more doing

After my phase two presentation, I feel more at ease having three ideas presented and get useful feedbacks. I've been quite sick during the week of the presentation and was feeling somewhat frustrated with the project because I don't feel 100% with any of the ideas I've come up with yet...

After the class critique and another small critique with friends (Ginger, Tobias, Alana, and Alex), I finally have a better idea and feel more confident about the direction I'm going into.

Here are a few points I'd like to have as the backbone/driving force of this project. (aka point form conceptual framework)
1. Make happiness contagious.
2. Comment on "free/low cost happiness." Simple things that make people happy.
3. Bridge the gap between reality with imagination. Allow people to dive into their imagination.
4. The project will act as prompts to remind people about happiness.
5. My own indulgence and commentary on happiness. A good friend of mine tells me that "best work is highly enjoyable and fun. Make the audience smile in their mind/heart"
6. Bring a smile to people's faces.

So, these will be more or less the "ruler" for me to measure my project as I go on.

I'm now onto Phase Three of this project. Which means, I'll need to do more and overthink less. I'll need to dive into it quickly and start producing. I need to set myself free from overthinking. So, you'll be seeing less posts compare to my earlier phase. I'll try my best though to keep a record of things.

Lovely strangers

With a terrible cold still lingering, I couldn't think straight and drove out to Yaletown for a meeting without even bringing my wallet. I arrived, got out of the car and just realized that I didn't bring my wallet along... I called the number on the meter hoping that I can pay by phone with the credit card I had registered. Turns out, the credit card I had registered with was outdated. In a panic,I didn't know what to do. I had to go to the meeting. I felt completely helpless.

Luckily, two very nice gentlemen in their 60s parked behind me and saw me standing in front of the meter in a panic. I explained the situation to them, they smiled and immediately asked how much time I needed to park and fed the meter for me.

The sunshine, these gentlemen, and two other strangers who gave me directions made my heart warm and toasty today! Thanks starngers.