Smile Exchange

WHAT WE DID

We found a cheap 6 drawed cabinet from IKEA and put different coloured labels on each drawer.

We bought some pieces of card and wrote six messages that we thought would make anyone smile. These included a joke, a recipie and directions to a favourite resteraunt…

We put one message into each drawer and took the cabinet to London.

Whilst in London, we encouraged passers by to take a note from one of the drawers, and replace it with one of their own, asking “what positive message could you tell someone you don’t know?”

This is now creating an international note swap between people who may not have had the opportunity to ever communicate.

Why not get involved in Smile Exchange? Set up your own cabinet of messages and pass on something good today!

After all, there’s something really quite beautiful about strangers making eachother smile. Don’t you think?

SITUATION

It was the first day on the MA in Creative Planning at the prestigious Bucks New University and We were asked to teamwork on putting together and reinvent an IKEA cabinet.

OBJECTIVE

To get economical profit from the cabinet.

BUDGET: £20

STRATEGY

Likewise online philosophy 2.0, we wanted people to create the content for which they were giving a donation. Our objective was to be socially friendly and encourage people to spread happiness. It was simply and free.

CONCEPT

Smile Exchange. The idea was to pass on something good to somebody you do not know, i.e. an exchange of good messages, advices and recommendations from people of the street. It became a completely random and social experience.

TONE OF VOICE

Friendly, innocent and hopeful. Surrounded by other performers and with no apparent aim of profit, we played with the fact of developing a university project. Therefore, we refused to look professional. Otherwise, we weren’t sure of having got so much support.

LOCATION

South Bank, London. Place where people are just wandering around and actually enjoy seeing some street performers.

IMPLEMENTATION

A team of 5 members moved to our location showing advertising boards and speaking with people of the street. We were aimed at gather the most people possible around the cabinet so that other people joint us.

RESULT

Passers-by fully involved and lots of people participated with best wishes. We monetize the success from the considerable amount of donations we earned. However and above all, it was a moving and fulfilling experience for everyone.