Tokens of Kindness Project
overview
I love connecting people through art and design. I became fascinated by the idea that a single kind act could start a ripple effect of kindness that radiates through a community. I experimented with a community design piece aimed to trigger kind acts in exchange for goods and services. I began this work with a pop-up booth selling my handmade goods in exchange for special tokens on which customers wrote kind acts they had done or promised to do.
This experiment was the main focus of my research thesis at Iowa State University.
conference presentation:
Design Principles and Practices Conference
the work
Tokens of Kindness: A Workbook
This workbook outlines my “Tokens of Kindness” experiment, providing prompts and methods to empower you to conduct your own experiments and spark a wave of kindness in your community.
A Glimpse Inside
The images included here offer a sneak peek into my current draft. Photography shown is for layout purposes only.
Bringing Kindness to Life
This “ready-for-prime-time” version of my graduate thesis aims to equip the general public with the tools to create impactful community engagement events through design principles and behavior change methods.
Get Involved
I plan to self-publish a physical copy and distribute a free e-book version of this workbook.
Tokens of Kindness: The Experiments
Tokens of Kindness in Ames
Testing the waters, I launched the first iteration of my “Tokens of Kindness” experiment at Iowa State University’s College of Design, a familiar environment. The positive interactions and the abundance of collected kind acts fueled my passion for this project, and I knew I had to continue.
Tokens of Kindness in Des Moines
Encouraged by the success in Ames, I ventured into Des Moines with my “Tokens of Kindness” project. The downtown skywalk, with its high foot traffic, seemed like an ideal location. However, to my surprise, interactions were less frequent than expected.
Tokens of Kindness at the Mall
In a space typically driven by consumerism, my “Tokens of Kindness” community design event at Merle Hay Mall in Des Moines, IA offered a refreshing alternative. Participants at my booth embraced the idea of kindness as a currency that cultivates connection, and I was delighted by the positive interactions.
Pizza for Kindness
Refining my “Tokens of Kindness” method, I saw the value of testing it with a new audience and adapting the incentive. Nightlife offered a bustling setting, and pizza, a universally loved snack, simplified the exchange: one slice for an act of kindness. In the midst of the usual weekend festivities, something remarkable occurred—people were drawn into acts of kindness, a departure from the typical nightlife interactions.
Tokens of Kindness Watercolor Class
In addition to my booth setup, I ran a few other kindness experiments. To explore the concept of sharing knowledge as a form of kindness, I hosted a free watercolor class. Attendees participated by contributing cards they painted to my “Tokens of Kindness” booth. The class was a hit! While I was traveling the following week, participants even created additional cards for my booth. To share these artistic expressions, I released high-resolution images for public use under fair use guidelines.
Tokens of Kindness Cookies and Zine Gift Drop
To spark random acts of kindness in my neighborhood, I surprised neighbors with a “gift drop”: homemade cookies and a copy of my zine, “GrannyZine.” This zine celebrates grandmothers (with the recipe for the cookies they received!) and invites stories for future editions. The zine format (easy to distribute) and riot grrrl aesthetic felt perfect to honor these strong women—the “Grannys Who Rock!” (plural for a reason!). The gift package included a card to provide feedback, but there wasn’t any follow-up.
like what you see?
Whether you need alluring album art to tell your sonic story or a vibrant flyer to rev up the crowd, I’ve got you covered.