McDonald’s joined together with designer Joe Fang to create a themed space for the Happy Meal Readers Program in a book store that brings new life to the abandoned elementary school building in which it is located. By creating this parent-child reading corner in the bookstore, they hope to deepen the concept of reading together within people’s lives.

The concept for the design comes from Joe Fang’s picture book The Circle, a wordless children’s picture book that uses photography to stimulate a multi-sensory reading experience. The book takes the “circle” as its starting point to depict our imagining of the concept of “home.” Through rich and diverse colors, adorable clay character modeling, as well as common everyday objects like milk bottles and egg cartons, it allows children to begin to train their sense of aesthetics and creativity within their lives, and at the same time provides adult and child readers alike with a diverse visual experience.

The overall space is designed around the concept of the McDonald’s Happy Meal box. Through the external architectural glass, the circular elements and spheres of different colors, materials, and sizes that fill the space can be seen within, including a ball pit, three dimensional wire ball installation, round seat cushions, bean bag chairs, and a lenticular lens wall. By utilizing a diverse range of design materials and a depth of layers to connect with the lives of children, the reading area not only invites users to enjoy reading, but also provides a space for adults and children to create precious memories together. Through the integrated exhibit and space planning, children are able to enter into a familiar and relaxed reading environment.