Happy Susto and Happy Yeti

Jaime Hayon’s collaboration with BD Barcelona brings a delightful dose of whimsy and unmistakable humor to ceramics with the Happy Susto and Happy Yeti projects. These pieces, true to Hayon’s distinctive style, are more than just functional objects; they are expressions of playful art designed to spark joy, not fear.

The original collection, Happy Susto (which translates to ‘happy scare’ or ‘happy fright’), immediately challenges its name with its charming disposition. This collection is manufactured in glazed ceramic and comes in two convenient sizes, offered in a choice of two vibrant colors: white or blue. The surface is finished with a glaze in one of these colors, and a whimsical hand-drawn decoration is applied in a contrasting white or blue, but only on one side, leaving the reverse clean. Hayon’s unique humor is intrinsically woven into the design, creating a piece that’s a cheerful contradiction to the idea of a ‘susto.

Building on the foundation of the Susto, Hayon introduced a new version: the Happy Yeti. Inspired by the mythological snow monster, this piece continues the theme of turning a potentially frightening figure into something fun and artistic. Hayon derived his inspiration from finding the Yeti story funny rather than scary from when he was little, which inspired his take on the design. The Happy Yeti functions as a vase, offering a clever, interactive element: one can place plants or flowers inside the Yeti’s head, giving it ‘hair’ that “scares a little more”—though still in a completely charming way. Like the Susto, its little decorations are intended to serve not just a decorative purpose, but also to have an artistic and emotional value, perfectly accommodating a delightful sense of humor.

Together, the Happy Susto and Happy Yeti showcase Hayon’s ability to infuse everyday objects with character, narrative, and a wonderfully lighthearted touch.