The Economy of Fun: Why Personal Projects Matter

The Economy of Fun examines the often unseen work that fuels creative studios beyond client briefs. Drawing on more than fifteen years of global practice, this talk looks at the self-initiated projects that sustain energy, curiosity and momentum, even when commercial work pays the bills.

At its core, the talk looks at the messy, chaotic and deeply human side of making things without permission or guarantees. Fun is reframed not as a distraction from serious work, but as a powerful engine for learning, resilience and creative growth, where failure, experimentation and persistence are inseparable from progress.

Rather than celebrating ideas in isolation, the talk centres on execution and the courage required to act. This way of thinking is carried forward into a corresponding workshop that focuses on turning personal curiosity into projects worth pursuing.