Our Mission -
unlocking connection wherever people gather
The Context
Our social connections are wearing thin. Studies show we now have half as many close friends as in previous generations, while our community ties continue to weaken. And loneliness? It's reaching crisis levels, especially among Millennials and Gen Zs.
This is not an individual well-being problem, but a collective human one. Real innovation, trust-building, and problem-solving all stem from genuine human connections. Those spontaneous conversations and chance encounters aren't just nice to have – they're essential to our survival.
While we cannot undo the technological, economic, and cultural shifts that have unintentionally disrupted our social patterns, we don't have to accept isolation as our future. Instead, we need fresh approaches to bringing people together – ones that work within a world of smartphones, online everything, and emotional awkwardness.
The Problem
Friendships cannot be engineered, yet they all begin with little moments of connection - a chat, a laugh, a shared experience, a small act of kindness. So how can we maximise chance encounters?
Research shows an interesting paradox - while most of us would welcome a friendly chat with a stranger, we assume others would not. So, while we might feel like chatting with someone we see at an event, walk by in a museum, or sit next to in the park, we back away to aimlessly stare into our screens instead.
But what if we could overcome our shyness and sense of awkwardness by harnessing our innate sense of play?
The Solution
Chatty Elephants are whimsical physical objects designed to playfully break the ice, turning a space of strangers into a buzzing hub of interaction.
Our goal is to seed subtle invitations to play wherever people are - live events, exhibitions, retail experiences, or public spaces. These might come in the form of curious puzzle pieces, musical benches, hidden art pieces, or interactive pathways.
Whatever the space and context, we design artefacts that playfully tackle people’s inability to make a move, gamifying connectivity and instilling a sense of fun, openness, and wonder.