Ciara Frances
The More Magic Collective aims to generate more opportunities for whimsy, joy and connection by utilising our public spaces for a range of interactive installations, events and activities. A central site provides resources and guidelines for joining the collective and creating your own event or installation. Both a print and digital “star-mail” service keeps members updated and can be used to request the help of those with specific skillsets or availability on collaborative projects.
By utilising Dublin’s public spaces, the More Magic installations are positioned to be spontaneous discoveries for those passing by, giving them maximum whimsicality. At a time when so many of us are experiencing overwhelm and overstimulation, the collective’s objective is simply to open the door to more opportunities for connecting with our innate sense of childlike joy and play. By positioning the project as a collective the hope is that as people join, a larger quantity and range of these interactive installations can take shape under a shared purpose and care.
The More Magic website acts as a central resource, which people are directed to via public installations, promotional materials, and social media. It provides background on the collective’s philosophy and aims, as well as all the information needed to get involved. The site allows visitors to sign up for the physical (or digital) star-mail service, which provides updates and can also be used to request help from those with specific skill sets or availability for collaborative projects. An interactive digital guide is available on the website, as well as an A4, black and white, print and assemble, pocketbook guide for ease of printing and sharing.
While the installations and events have the potential to vary, a system of symbols and messaging creates cohesion, this is supported by the guide, which outlines the key principles for all More Magic outputs.
My thesis explores the emergence of the “cute economy” through an analysis of the Jellycat Fish & Chips retail experience at Selfridges, which has become particularly popular among adult Gen-Z consumers. It begins by examining the concept of cuteness, tracing its origins across global art and culture, and following its journey into the contemporary consumer market. The research investigates the social, cultural, and economic conditions that have positioned Gen-Z consumers at the centre of this market, with nostalgia and its relationship to modernity emerging as a recurring theme throughout the study.
Hi :) I’m Ciara, and my time at IADT has given me the skill set to confidently call myself a multidisciplinary designer, with experience across print, motion, digital, and web design. My strengths lie in research, concept development, and strategy, including art direction and narrative building. An ongoing interest in the human experience often has me exploring areas of psychology, philosophy, and esotericism, which informs my creative approach. For example, my self-directed work is driven by an interest in the potential of cuteness and whimsy as tools for influencing social change.
