COLLECT JOY

AN INTERACTIVE CAPSTONE INSTALLATION

Winner of Myers B. and Martha H. Cather Excellence in Design Award

Collect Joy explores the emotional resonance of everyday objects through immersive storytelling and spatial design. Set within a circular room, the installation invites viewers into a curated world of trinkets, toys, miniatures, and nostalgic knick-knacks—each item a small vessel of memory, whimsy, and wonder. The circular layout symbolizes continuity and the cyclical nature of joy, inviting guests to wander, pause, and reflect on the simple things that bring happiness. 

In a fast-paced world often focused on productivity and progress, Collect Joy reminds us of the importance of slowing down and finding delight in the ordinary. Small moments of joy, often sparked by seemingly insignificant objects, play a powerful role in grounding us, fostering gratitude, and nurturing emotional well-being. This installation merges visual design, spatial aesthetics, and personal narrative, encouraging participants to consider how design can evoke emotion and build connection through the ordinary. By collecting and celebrating objects often dismissed as clutter, Collect Joy challenges the viewer to find beauty and meaning in the overlooked, and to recognize the quiet power of design in capturing human experience. By celebrating these quiet sparks of happiness, the installation encourages a more mindful, joyful approach to everyday life. It is both a personal archive and a shared celebration of delight.