The Challenge: Come up with a list of words or feelings you associate with optimism. Based on the answer, design a type-dominant poster that promotes optimism. Spread optimism further and invite friends to participate. Gather the results and put on an optimistic show of the work in a public space.

"The idea behind the poster was to use the word sweet in both its literal and slang meanings to create a humorous interpretation. The typography evokes the feeling of a fun, girly doodle and is then contrasted with the graffiti punchline, making it look like someone vandalized the original poster. It also tries to get people to interact with the poster by urging them to lick it, reinforcing its physical presence rather than its use as a medium." Leen Sadder

"For my poster I wanted to do something simple that still had something special about it. I wanted the design to convey both happiness and sadness, so I modified the type to form a frown and a smile." Naomie Ross

"I try to think about what made me optimistic and things I thought were magical or gave me that feeling. I always loved old black-and-white cartoons like Bosko or Mickey. I made lettering that resembled the rubber hose animation, looking for a carefree and whimsical feeling." Virjilio Tzaj

"Being optimistic is about seeing the best in everything, staying positive, and making the most of every situation. When life hands you something, take it and not only make something from it, turn it around and make it the best it can be. Surprise yourself with your ability to do something amazing." Aimée Hunt

"For a long time I wrote about what optimism meant to me and how it directly applied to my life. I used the metaphor of swimming to express what I had gathered from my writings and inquiries. For some reason, whenever I go swimming in a lake or in the ocean, the vast unknown scares me and empowers me. That has [a lot] to do with what I think of as being optimistic." Santiago Carrasquilla

Public gathering of optimistic designers celebrating their work, Brooklyn, NY, Citizens for Optimism.

Citizens for Optimism is a project created and curated with love by Ali Eng and Virgilio Tzaj.