Are You Happy?  By Alex / HeadUp and David Meiklejohn

UPDATE: The print is now available for sale on Shop.H34, check here for more info on ordering.

Yesterday on Typcut, I posted up my second design.  This time a collaboration with David Meiklejohn of Budget Fabulous Films, whom I met while in Ann Arbor for Forth From Its Hinges.  I originally came across a diagram David created using what looked like Microsoft Office 97, which asked the question above and illustrated a simple process for evaluating what may be the most important question one could ever want to answer.  I instantly saw the potential for my design style to make this concept pop, I wanted to give it identity and form, a playful context that also attracts the eye.

I originally envisioned the diagram in two styles– one a cartoony, animated 1950’s feel, like something out of Ren & Stimpy, the other a more serious, scientific, almost lab poster-esque aesthetic.  I ended up going with the latter when I concluded that there is really enough going on with the diagram that I don’t need to add happy and sad cartoon characters, serving only to compete with the more important message.  When I sent it to him for approval, David observantly pointed out the lack of arrows returning viewers back to the original question after going through the design’s “information flow.”  I kept the arrow(s) out of the design for two reasons– aside from the obvious visual reasons that an arrow back up the center of “step 1″ would sort of throw things off, I liked the idea that the diagram does not go in circles but rather provides an input/output sort of visual interaction.  This would look great printed in your home office or workplace, repeated exposure to the image not only reinforces the message, but it also negates the necessity for the returning arrows.  Without delving unnecessarily deeper, I will leave it at the fact that the final form of this design is not important so much as the basic concept of always being empowered with one’s work– if you aren’t happy, you always, no matter what, have the power to change something.

UPDATE: The print is now available for sale on Shop.H34, check here for more info on ordering.