INITIAL IDEAS Collision of; Ideas/concepts People/cultures Media/mediums Disciplines/practices Technology Is it; Memorable enough to share? Telling a story? Portraying emotion? A worthwhile/good experience?
Happiness
The Internet and Digital Age
Future Self
What is happiness? What makes us happy? What makes me/you happy? Who makes you happy? Can we make ourselves happy or do we rely on others for this? Can we always be happy? Do we need happiness and sadness to appreciate the happiness? Is it a thing we find or is it an experience? Why is Bhutan the happiest nation? Is it linked to how late they accessed the internet? The Pursuit of happiness Life satisfaction and Happiness indexes Happiness through a harmony Instead of portraying happiness, evoke it. Doing things rather than thinking
How has the internet changed us? How has it changed our lives? What does it do for us? What else can it do? Is constant connectivity good for us? Are we disconnecting from reality? How involved are the government/big companies in our daily lives? Who’s watching? Who’s watching the watchers? What about those without internet access? Has it gone too far? Is it truly safe or secure? Smartphones/Tablets/Cookies Tim Berners-Lee Are we sharing too much? Are we sharing the right things? Pre-internet brain Constant bombardment, do we need time away from the screens/internet to cope? The internet of things Augmented/virtual reality Is the future more or less connected? Is there a link to between the internet and general happiness?
Outcomes - 1 digital 1 physical, for the Collide Event Ink and Pixels Cross/between-disciplines Digital Website App Animation Game Physical Poster Audience Interaction/ participation Leaflet Book Game 3 main considerations Happiness The Internet & the digital age Future self
Who will you be in 10 years? Where will you be in 10 years? How will you be in 10 years? How do you represent the future? Can we predict the future/ How can we prepare for the future? Should we focus on the here and now, rather than the future? Does the future need a plan B? Will you be happy? Will you still be looking for happiness? Write your own future Post internet brain??? How much control do we have over our own futures? Is the future more or less connected?
MOODBOARD Collection of images relating to the theme of happiness, found through the mediums of Instagram and Facebook.
MARKET RESEARCH After looking over my initial responses/ideas for each of the three different subjects, I felt that the happiness option would give me the best chance at creating something that people could relate to. Building on this I decided to do some market research and ask people what they think about happiness, with the aim of reading the responses and hopng they would inspire me to a good idea for the final outcome.
Happiness What is happiness? What makes us happy? What makes me/you happy? Who makes you happy? Can we make ourselves happy or do we rely on others for this? Can we always be happy? Do we need happiness and sadness to appreciate the happiness? Is it a thing we find or is it an experience? Why is Bhutan the happiest nation? Is it linked to how late they accessed the internet? The Pursuit of happiness Life satisfaction and Happiness indexes Happiness through a harmony Instead of portraying happiness, evoke it. Doing things rather than thinking
These are the questions I asked people as part of my survey.
1 - What makes you happy? (List as many things as you desire)
2 - Do we always need to be happy?
3 - What is your response to the statement; “We need bad times to appreciate how good the good times are”?
5 - Is happiness something we find or is it just a temporary experience?
6 - “A quest in pursuit of true happiness will never end.” Do you agree? Yes/No
7 - What is happiness?
4 - What is your response to the statement; “Happiness is a harmony or balance of different things”?
To me the most important answers, were the responses to questions 1, 5, and 7. 1 & 7 because I feel like the answers to these questions would give me a good idea as to how to relate this project to real people in the real world. And question 5 was important because I had already began to formulate am idea which revolved around this idea of ‘happiness is a harmony’.
However, whilst waiting to get an acceptable number of responses to my survey, I came across another idea whilst doing some research on happiness. I found an article about a survivor of the Holocaust who had wrote a book about the difference between living a happy life and a meaningful one. In the article it is explained that Polish, Russian and other non-English speaking nations tend to be more conservative in the use of the word that is often translated as “happy” or “happiness”. This got me thinking about how happiness and expectations of happiness, as well as what makes people happy, can change between cultures and countries. So I decided to shift my focus to looking at happiness across different cultures.
RESEARCH After being inspired to take a new direction with this project, I began to look at the differences in happiness across different cultures. During my research I found a journal article from the University of Southern California (USC), which looked at the concepts of happiness through time and across cultures.
The concepts of happiness centred on favourable,external circumstances in Ancient China and Greece, whereas they centre on positive inner feeling states in the U.S. today.
The article begins by looking at the temporal differences in the definition of happiness. In Ancient Greece and China they believed that luck was something that played a huge part in being happy, that and it being controlled by external forces such as a guardian or God. In 16th Century America they believed that it was a question of living a virtuous life and being a good citizen. The right to “pursue happiness” was included in the United States’ Declaration of Independence has led Americans to take a more material focused approach to acquiring happiness, through satisfying internal feelings of happiness. As time progressed and American culture became more consumer driven in the 19th and 20th centuries the pursuit of happiness became less about religion and more about something we have complete control over for ourselves.
Happiness in American English today covers a wide range of positive feeling states, whereas happiness in Polish, Russian, German, and French is used to refer to a rare event or condition.
The next part of the article begins to look up the local dictionary definition of the word happiness across 30 different countries. The countries and the languages included were: Argentina (Spanish), Australia (English), Brazil (Portuguese), China (Chinese), Ecuador (Spanish), Estonia (Estonian), France (French), Germany (German), Guatemala (Spanish), India (Hindi), Indonesia (Indonesian), Israel (Hebrew), Italy (Italian), Japan (Japanese), Kenya (Swahili), Korea (Korean), Malaysia (Malay), Mozambique (Portuguese), Norway (Norwegian), Pakistan (Punjabi), Portugal (Portuguese), Romania (Romanian), Russia (Russian), Senegal (French), Singapore (Chinese), South Africa (Afrikaans), Spain (Spanish), Turkey (Turkish), and the U.S (English). The findings of their report was that luck or fortune was a theme to at least one of the definitions of happiness in 24 of the 30 countries that they looked at, with the exceptions being the United States, Spain, Argentina, Ecuador, India and Kenya.
This lead to the conclusion that the definition of happiness is not only dependant on the language being used but also the historical context of the local culture and linguistics, as there was difference between two countries that spoke the same language such the US and Australia both speaking English, as well as Guatemala and Spain who speak Spanish. It was also reported that the countries that have a definition that does not include luck, found themselves to be happier more often.
Other analysis’ as part of the same study focused on an American context, included analysis of the historical definition and use of happiness in the US - showing a trend away from a lucky or fortuitous context towards a more internal emotion context following the First World War and the 1920’s. Another test shows that in American books published between 1800 and 2008, the reference to a happy nation has declined since the 1920’s and a happy person increasing massively in the same time-frame, showing a change in focus to concentrate on a happier individual rather than a happier nation or collective.
The cross-cultural dictionary analysis revealed that the use of happiness to convey fortune, fate or luck was present in 80% of a sample of current international dictionary definitions, so this use is not relegated to just ancient China and Greece, however this use fell into disuse in American English in the 1920’s. 1920 was the year consumerism really started in America. “A personal experience” centred approach to advertising boomed, aiming to appeal at emotions as well as using smiles and cheerfulness in advertising to portray the pleasure of using the product. Shifting mindsets to self-satisfaction. The differences in the definitions may be down to happiness being used in different contexts, and being a different concept to the one English speakers are used to. Different cultures may have different connotations. Does the meaning of happiness depend on the age of the person using it? Young Americans use it in connotation with excitement, whereas older Americans use it to relate to peaceful feelings. Previous research found that older people tend to be happier than younger people, this could be down to the connotative differences in the word. Does religion / religious traditions have an influence on the meaning of happiness, or a person being happy?
Further research I also found the United Nations backed World Happiness Report which is a more comprehensive ranking of the worlds happiest nations, asking people to rate how happy they are out of ten in various aspects and taking an average reading, before collating this information into a chart and tables to document the happiness of the worlds population. This information covers 2012-2014 and was released in April 2015. I aim to use this information in connection with my other research. Of the countries analysised in the other research, Norway is the highest ranked nation in the WHR and places 4th overall in that survey, with Switzerland placing 1st followed by Iceland in 2nd, and Denmark 3rd. The lowest country analysised is Senegal which places in 142nd in the WHR, out of a possible 158. Togo is the bottom ranked nation, with Burundi just above them in 157, with Syria 3rd worst at 156.
Country (lang) happiness ranking / rating Country (lang) happiness ranking / rating Alphabetical Ranked Argentina (Spanish), 30 / 6.574 Australia (English), 10 / 7.284 Brazil (Portuguese), 16 / 6.983 China (Chinese), 84 / 5.140 Ecuador (Spanish), 48 / 5.975 Estonia (Estonian), 73 / 5.429 France (French), 29 / 6.575 Germany (German), 26 / 6.75 Guatemala (Spanish), 43 / 6.123 India (Hindi), 117 / 4.565 Indonesia (Indonesian), 74 / 5.399 Iran (Farsi), 110 / 4.686 Israel (Hebrew), 11 / 7.278 Italy (Italian), 50 / 5.948 Japan (Japanese), 46 / 5.987 Kenya (Swahili), 125 / 4.419 Malaysia (Malay), 61 / 5.770 Mozambique (Portuguese), 94 / 4.971 Norway (Norwegian), 4 / 7.522 Pakistan (Punjabi), 81 / 5.194 Portugal (Portuguese), 88 / 5.102 Romania (Romanian), 86 / 5.124 Russia (Russian), 64 / 5.716 Senegal (French), 142 / 3.904 Singapore (Chinese), 24 / 6.798 South Africa (Afrikaans), 113 / 4.642 South Korea (Korean), 47 / 5.984 Spain (Spanish), 36 / 6.329 Turkey (Turkish), 76 / 5.332 United States (English), 15 / 7.119
Norway (Norwegian), 4 / 7.522 Australia (English), 10 / 7.284 Israel (Hebrew), 11 / 7.278 United States (English), 15 / 7.119 Brazil (Portuguese), 16 / 6.983 Singapore (Chinese), 24 / 6.798 Germany (German), 26 / 6.75 France (French), 29 / 6.575 Argentina (Spanish), 30 / 6.574 Spain (Spanish), 36 / 6.329 Guatemala (Spanish), 43 / 6.123 Japan (Japanese), 46 / 5.987 Korea (Korean), 47 / 5.984 Ecuador (Spanish), 48 / 5.975 Italy (Italian), 50 / 5.948 Malaysia (Malay), 61 / 5.770 Russia (Russian), 64 / 5.716 Estonia (Estonian), 73 / 5.429 Indonesia (Indonesian), 74 / 5.399 Turkey (Turkish), 76 / 5.332 Pakistan (Punjabi), 81 / 5.194 China (Chinese), 84 / 5.140 Romania (Romanian), 86 / 5.124 Portugal (Portuguese), 88 / 5.102 Mozambique (Portuguese), 94 / 4.971 Iran (Farsi) 110 / 4.686 South Africa (Afrikaans), 113 / 4.642 India (Hindi), 117 / 4.565 Kenya (Swahili), 125 / 4.419 Senegal (French), 142 / 3.904
To fit the theme of Happiness across different cultures I have decided that I should select a few countries (if possible) from each continent (North & Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia & Oceania) from this list of 30. I decided that I should include the two extremes, the happiest and the least happiest nations from this list which are Norway (ranked 4th on the UN World Happiness Report 2015) and Senegal (which ranked 142nd of 158 countries included in the report). I then selected Germany due to the perception that they have no sense of humour, United States as the only North American country on the list. I then randomly selected another 4 countries, leaving the eight (which coincidentallly is a lucky/ prosperous number in China) selected countries and languages as;
-Norway (Norweigan) -United States (American English) -Germany (German) -Argentina (Spanish) -Korea (Korean) -Pakistan (Punjabi) -South Africa (Afrikaans) -Senegal (French).
I think this is a good selection as they all have differing and diverse cultures, as well as different political, religious and social structures as well as different languages.
SELECTED COUNTRIES
LINGUISTICS Language: Spanish
Language: German
Language: Korean
Language: Norwegian
Translation of Happiness: ‘Felicidad’
Translation of Happiness: ‘Glück’
Translation of Happiness: ‘haengbog’
Translation of Happiness: ‘Lykke’ or ‘Lykkelig’
English translation of definition: State of complete and ordered satisfaction that proceeds from the enjoyment of a desirable good.
English translation of definition: 1. Something which is the result of a concurrence of especially opportune or fortunate circumstances; especially fortunate or opportune coincidence, fortunate or opportune destiny of fate
English translation of definition: 1.Good luck.
English translation of definition:
UN World Happiness Report Ranking: 30th Rating: 6.574
2. The personified imaginary “Glück”; fortune
2. A state of being satisfied and feeling joy in daily life. Contentment. UN World Happiness Report Ranking: 47th Rating: 5.984
Lykke; 1. Destiny, coincident. 2a. Fortunate destiny, luck. b. Luckily, it turned out well, being successful. c. Wish you luck. d. Congratulatory. 3. Good living conditions.
3a. Pleasant and joyful state of mind, in which one finds oneself when they come into possession or pleasure of something they had wished for; state of inner satisfaction and high spirits b. Single happy/fortunate situation, happy/fortunate result, experience
4. Deep and lasting feeling of enjoyment and well-being.
UN World Happiness Report Ranking: 26th Rating: 6.575
UN World Happiness Report Ranking: 4th Rating: 7.522
Lykkelig; 1. Lucky, joyful, advantageous. 2a. Feeling happy or joyful, marked by being happy. b. Being joyful and grateful.
Language: Punjabi
Language: Afrikaans
Translation of Happiness: ‘Khus’ or ‘Khush’
Translation of Happiness: ‘Geluk’
English translation of definition:
English translation of definition:
Glad, joyful, delighted, pleased, happy; merry, cheerful, gay; well off; willing, ready; lucky, fortunate:
1. State/condition of contentment; satisfaction of your wishes and desires; joy
UN World Happiness Report Ranking: 81st Rating: 5.194
2. Fortune; fate; opportunity/chance 3. Favourable coincidence; advantageous circumstances; prosperity gained without own effort UN World Happiness Report Ranking: 113th Rating: 4.642
Language: French Translation of Happiness: ‘Bonheur’, ‘heureux’ or ‘heureuse’ English translation of definition:
Language: English b. (things). Which is favorable. Advantageous, good, favorable. c. Which has a tendency to obtain favorable outcomes; which is remarkable and rare.
Translation of Happiness: English translation of definition: 1 good fortune; prosperity
Bonheur 1a. Luck.
d. (esthetic). Which is original, appropriate, skillful in way that seems lucky.
2a. a state of well-being and contentment; joy
2a. (people). Whom enjoys a state of happiness.
b. a pleasurable or satisfying experience
b. Whom expresses happiness.
3. felicity, aptness
b. Achievement, success. 2a. State of being fully satisfied. Well-being, felicity, pleasure, contentment, enchantment, euphoria, ecstasy, joy, satisfaction. b. Which makes happy.
c. (things). Marked with happiness, where happiness reigns.
‘Heureux’ or ‘Heureuse’ 1a. (people). Whom benefits from favorable luck, whom luck favors. Lucky, favored, fortunate.
UN World Happiness Report Ranking: 142nd Rating: 3.904
UN World Happiness Report Ranking: 15th Rating: 7.119
Version 1 https://vimeo.com/156112332
DIGITAL outcome My digital outcome is an animation, that uses the same information - country, local word(s) for happiness, dictionary definition, and then the UN World Happiness Report statistics. Initially I started with getting all the information on the screen and getting the timings and all the technical stuff sorted first before tackling the aesthetic side. Given how much text is on the screen, I thought it best to limit the amount of content to just the 8 aforementioned countries (Argentina, Germany, South Korea, Norway, Pakistan, Senegal, South Africa, and the USA).
Version 1, was my first and roughest attempt at creating the animation, and was really a rough guide to how I wanted the timings to be.
Country title screen
Title screen Content starts to appear
End of country screen
End screen.
Version 2 https://vimeo.com/156112455
Version 2 was a lot smoother and more aesthetically pleasing. I altered the entrance animations at the start of each of the country to make it feel more inviting and friendly. I also coloured up each of the different countries to give each country more of a distinct identity, as well as brighten up and make the animation more interesting visually. I was also able to cut the timing down from three and a half minutes down to just over three minutes.
Entrance transition Country title screen
Content starts to appear
Transitions between countries
Transition/fade to black
Version 3 https://vimeo.com/156112559
Version 3 was my most polished and professional looking attempt at the animation. It uses much the same animations and colours as the previous iteration but I altered the layout of the text so that it was easier to read and gave people more time to read it than before without adding anything to the overall length of the piece. I also gave minor tweaks to copy and the layout of some of the other features so that they looked better aesthetically.
Neatened country title board
Title screen Altered Content Layout
Altered end of country screen layout
Tweak to body copy layout on end slate.
physical outcome My inital idea was to produce a series of posters to accompany the animation to match each of the countries in the animation, in the style similar to that which sits on the front of this document, using the shattered/shard effects to decorate the background of the content - the dictionary definitions etc.
Language: Spanish ‘Felicidad’
However after producing a couple of designs for these I thought that they were too ugly and that another product would be more beneficial. Initially, I used some much sharper shard likes shapes but I don’t feel that these shapes were happy enough, so changed them to elongated circles and played around with the positioning, colouring, and opacity of these in relation to the textual elements.
Definition State of complete and ordered satisfaction that proceeds from the enjoyment of a desirable good.
Happiness Ranking 30th Rating 6.574 Rejected poster ideas
page layout development After a while of focusing on the digital outcome - namely the animation, I began to look at presenting the information that I had sourced as part of my research in a much more friendly and aesthetic manner.
So I began going about adapting the raw information outlined in the reports and converting it into something that was less intimidating to look at. Once all the copy was in place, I adjusted the layouts and came up with four main ideas for the layout of each page.
Two were much more simple and minimalist, and sat all the text centrally, whereas the second two were much more dynamic and had a bit more scope to play with colour on the second page of a spread.
Once all the content was in place I then had to colour up all the pages that would be on the right hand side to match up to the national identities. I chose the right hand pages because these would be the pages that a person would see first when flicking through the book, and would make it easier to
identify each country at a glance or for quick reference. Most of the countries national colours are easy to identify as they are taken from the flag, but countries such as Italy use a different colour. The Italian flag is green, white, and red, but most of the Italian national sports teams play with blue as their primary
colour - hence their nickname being “The Azzurri�. The colourful second pages help balance out the fairly monochrome primary pages and a bit of life to some of the longer looking spreads. And with each spread having a different colour it certainly lightens up a more dull topic of cultural linguistics.
COLLIDE EXHIBITION For the Collide exhibition I decided that I would just submit my book. I felt that my animation wasn’t as strong as my book, and it would look out of place on a show-reel as it needs the whole 3 minutes of the animation to really make any sense, and cutting it to fit to a showreel would make it senseless.