What generates joy? When we asked contributors to Viewpoint Colour what brings them joy in their work and their lives, we received a variety of responses: connecting to nature, positive relationships, parenthood, being of service, the journey of a project from start to finish, working on amazing community projects, seeing the seasons unfold, birdsong... what constitutes a joyful life is as individual as every human being, but the constants are moments of pure pleasure.
Generating joy is a two-way street: not only does joy uplift and inspire the maker and the creative, but it also spreads to those who come into contact with their work. Playfulness plays its part in joy, as does community spirit, and joy also has purpose: it helps us achieve happiness and meaning, and can also be a powerful force for activism and change, as our new issue illustrates so well.
While happiness is a state of mind, joy is an uncomplicated sense of pleasure. As author Sharon Draper points out, small things can bring unalloyed joy. ‘It’s the little things that make happy moments, not the grand events.
Longevity and endurance do not need to come at the expense of creativity and fun. We believe that colour can be riotous yet balanced, offering strong foundational hues that will last for years to come.
From BMW to Aston Martin, the automotive industry is now harnessing joy to speak to its audience. Long regarded as traditional and conservative, the sector is experiencing a definitive shift as it looks to appeal to consumers in more emotional and playful ways.
A collective desire to consume less and consume better has prompted a contemporary take on ‘make do and mend’. Driven by industrious, eco-aware Gen Z, repair now taps into a joyful creativity that favours extended product life over newness.
Sel Kofiga, founder of multifaceted Ghanaian research brand The Slum Studio, talks to journalist Ekow Barnes about the beauty of remaking discarded garments – and the joy it brings to him and to others
While happiness is a state of mind, joy is an uncomplicated sense of pleasure. As author Sharon Draper points out, small things can bring unalloyed joy. ‘It’s the little things that make happy moments, not the grand events.
The power and pleasure of textile story telling. Emerging as an antidote to our fast-paced, over-stimulated, hyper-consumable world, hand crafts, from ceramics and woodwork to textile weaving and embroidery, are seeing a resurgence on both a professional and amateur level.
In the face of the global environmental crisis, making and self-expression have never been more important for children. Designers are turning their attention to the younger generation to offer them a platform – as well as a sense of creativity and joy.
