Joy is the most powerful emotion we have
It fuels our creativity, relationships and desires
So why are we not designing for it more?
Start with Joy
Every why has joy at its heart
Building on the work of Simon Sinek and his bestselling book Start with Why, I believe there is an opportunity to take the idea of purpose a step further.
Sinek’s work challenges us to look beyond what we do and ask why we do it. For me, that question begins with joy.
I believe that, at the heart of the most meaningful things we create, there should be a positive human impact: something that inspires us, connects us, excites us or makes us feel more alive.
And at the heart of that impact is what I call joy.
This is the thinking behind Start with Joy.
JOY ≠ FUN
Joy doesn’t have to equal Fun
Joy could be...
“That was easier than I expected”
“I finally feel in control of this again”
“I understand what is going on here”
“I feel calm for the first time”
Joy isn’t always about fun or excitement. Sometimes, it’s about removing the frustrations that get in the way. When we make things simpler and easier to navigate, we give people more time, energy and headspace for the things that matter most.
So how do we translate this into actions for an organisation?
End user joy
What is the positive emotion to start with?
Organisation goals
What do we want to achieve with our efforts?
Environment
What are the external pressures to be aware of?
Outcome
What do we need to deliver to achieve our goal?
The output then translates into time-based roadmaps for the organisation to act upon.
Now
Next
Later
Practical approach
Bridging the gap between digital and physical using joy
We live in a world where digital products don’t exist in silo; they are used by people living in the real world. The same can be said about physical spaces, which are no longer complete without a digital aspect.
I work at the intersection of experience strategy, digital products and live experiences by connecting human needs (joy) with business ambitions to create experiences that leave a lasting impression.
But, how can we connect them?
Start with joy
Most experiences are measured by commercial metrics. These matter, but should not be the centre. The point is how people feel. If joy is the metric you design for, the right commercial results will follow.
Add moments of delight
Joy is the overall feeling. Delight is the surprise and unexpected moments that makes an experience worth talking about. These need to be sprinkled in like magic.
Link the physical and digital worlds
The best digital experiences get out of the way. They remove frustrating admin and work quietly in the background so guests can enjoy the show happening in front of them.
Make it inclusive for everyone
Connection only matters if everyone can take part. Technology can help here, from accessible booking to quieter sessions and assistive tools, so everyone can choose how they join in.
Forrest Creative
Let's work to create some magic together
At the heart of my approach is a commitment to quality deliverables, transparent communication and joy.
Discover how we can work together to craft and deliver experiences that wow audiences and drive business results.