Hafsa Jamal Makda

During my fellowship, I will be working with the National Art Library and its collections to explore the idea of research as a play/leisure activity – how might we foster curiosity and wonder around a library collection that’s largely hidden from casual exploration? Focusing on the discoverability of the library collections, I plan to work closely with the NAL/VARI team, as well as engage NAL users and wider V&A audiences in the research process and work towards co-creating playful interventions within the library and museum space.

I am a visual and play designer, specialising in creating joyful experiences with and around libraries and cultural spaces, often using narratives, illustrations, and spatial installations. My current focus lies in exploring reading and researching as a play activity and how library environments and systems can engage audiences in new ways. I have previously collaborated with The Ministry of Culture Denmark and The Kolding Libraries to design experiences around the joy of reading for children which received the 15. Juni Fonden Honorary Award 2022.

Selected projects

Spellbound  – a magical experience in the library: Et inspirationskatalog til Læselyst & Læserum, pg 32-35

The Reader Reader – a novel novel that reads readers