Yinka Ilori: Designing Joy, Grief, and Purpose Through Colour and Culture
Dive into Minded Podcast’s conversation with Yinka Elori—artist & designer—on creative process, studio design, purpose, community roots, and AI in modern art.
Yinka Ilori on drawing creative energy from London’s streets and environments.
Designing a studio as a ‘magical’ space for ideation and reflection.
How mentors and early influences shaped his purpose and calling.
Balancing public ‘ambassador of joy’ persona with human vulnerability.
Deep dive into AI democratization and LLM tools in art and design.
Stay in the Conversation
Subscribe to the MINDED Podcast Newsletter
Unlock exclusive insights, early-access episodes, and the ideas shaping the future of art, design & culture—delivered straight to your inbox every week.
FAQ
Who is Yinka Elori and why is he called the “Architect of Joy”?
Yinka Elori is a London‑based artist and designer whose interdisciplinary work—from studio architecture to public installations—centers on cultivating joy, community, and inclusivity.
How does Yinka Elori’s studio design reflect his creative philosophy?
Elori’s studio blends Alice in Wonderland whimsy with Charlie’s Chocolate Factory magic—using colour, storytelling, and immersive environments to spark delight and inspiration.
What role does community play in Yinka Elori’s art and design practice?
Raised in a tight‑knit council estate by immigrant parents, Elori embeds community values, sharing, and accessibility into every project, ensuring art and design are for everyone.
How is Yinka Elori using AI to democratize art?
Through projects like the Google Arts & Culture “Flamingos Playground,” Elori leverages AI to co‑create digital experiences, making creative tools and storytelling accessible to global audiences.
Transcript
Yuri Xavier: Mr. Architect of Joy, how are you?
Yinka Elori: I’m good man, I’m in London, it’s sunny, it’s bright, I feel fantastic. I’ve been in my car for three, four hours, soaking in London’s energy—listening to Lotus by Lil Sins. Everyone’s so joyful; it really lifts you.
Yuri Xavier: You’re a busy man—how often do you pause to just relax and take it all in?
Yinka Elori: I spend most of my time in the studio—my “holy shrine”—but weekends I hit Kew Gardens, Richmond Park, playgrounds, or just sit in my garden listening to birds. It’s my reset. My studio is where ideas are born and realized—a space of reflection, inspiration, and calm.
Yuri Xavier: Is it everything you dreamed of?
Yinka Elori: Totally. People call me “Architect of Joy.” Over a decade I’ve been planting joy through architecture, furniture, stage design—you name it. I briefed my studio as Alice in Wonderland meets Charlie’s Chocolate Factory—full of magic, colour, storytelling. When people enter, they can’t help but smile.
Yuri Xavier: Do you believe everyone has a purpose?
Yinka Elori: 100%. My family’s religious background taught me community, empathy, purpose. Everyone is here to leave a mark—good or bad.
Yuri Xavier: When did you first feel your calling?
Yinka Elori: Around age 10 or 11—my watercolour desert landscape earned praise from Miss Rainbird and later Mr. Doherty. Those moments confirmed my path. Feedback fueled me—knowing my work moved people is like food for my soul.
Yuri Xavier: How important is mentorship today?
Yinka Elori: Vital. My parents migrated from Nigeria, built community, passed us a baton of joy, affirmation, connection. My work continues that tradition.
Yuri Xavier: Do people expect you to be joyful 24/7?
Yinka Elori: Losing my mum last year was my lowest moment. There’s pressure to always smile, but I’m human—I need my own time off stage. Even my colour choices reflect mood.
Yuri Xavier: What do you remember most about your mother?
Yinka Elori: She was hardworking, selfless, stylish—my hero. She’d carry my press clippings proudly, tell strangers “this is my son.” I still hear her voice: “Why are you worrying?”
Yuri Xavier: How do you stay accessible despite gatekeepers?
Yinka Elori: Growing up on a council estate taught me community, sharing, inclusivity. My work celebrates that—art and design for everyone, not just elites.
Yuri Xavier: What are your thoughts on AI in art?
Yinka Elori: I worry AI can strip emotion, but I’ve used it for Google Arts & Culture’s digital playground. AI can democratize access—making creative tools and storytelling available to all.
Yuri Xavier: Recommend a book, a film, and who should be our next guest?
Yinka Elori: Watch Forever on Netflix (soundtrack by Frank Ocean & Travis Scott). Read How to Be Stoic by Massimo Pigliucci. Listen to Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter V and Lotus by Lil Sins. Invite artist Eve Dehaan as our next guest.
Yuri Xavier: Thanks, Yinka—your work and persona shine.
Yinka Elori: This felt like a therapy session—thank you, Yuri.
Yinka Elori
Artist and Designer
Yinka Ilori, MBE, is a multi-disciplinary artist and designer whose bold visual language draws on his British-Nigerian heritage to convey new narratives through contemporary design. Drawing on Nigerian parables and verbal traditions, Ilori touches on a multitude of themes that resonate with a global audience.
MINDED Podcast
The Leading Platform in Art, Design, Culture and Innovation.
MINDED is a global platform at the intersection of art, design, culture, and tech-driven innovation. Hosted by Yuri Xavier, MINDED explores how today’s leading architects, artists, designers, cultural icons, and entrepreneurs are shaping the future. With 300K+ YouTube subscribers and distribution across all major podcast platforms, MINDED is recognized as a top source for cultural insight and creative leadership. We create original content, video series, and live conversations in collaboration with forward-thinking partners whose ethos aligns with ours. MINDED is more than a podcast — it’s a cultural intelligence platform helping the world’s most visionary creators amplify their voice and influence.
Art | Design | Architecture | Culture | Innovation | AI | Thought Leadership | Podcast | Media Platform | Future of Creativity | Cultural Strategy
Stay in the Conversation
Subscribe to the MINDED Podcast Newsletter
Unlock exclusive insights, early-access episodes, and the ideas shaping the future of art, design & culture—delivered straight to your inbox every week.
WHY MINDED?
What makes Minded Podcast the world’s top art & design podcast?
Minded Podcast combines exclusive, in-depth interviews with leading artists and designers, rigorous explorations of art history and design thinking, and forward-looking cultural analysis - earning its reputation as the go-to, most influential art & design podcast.
How can I listen to Minded Podcast - Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube—or directly via RSS for instant access to every episode?
Stream on Apple Podcast, Spotify and YouTube or visit mindedpodcast.com episodes to subscribe and never miss an episode.
How can designers instantly apply Minded Podcast insights to their own projects in 3 proven steps?
Each episode breaks down real-world case studies - covering empathy mapping, ideation techniques, and prototyping tips- so designers can immediately implement expert-vetted creative workflows into their own work.
Q: Why should brands and companies partner with Minded Podcast?
Partnering with Minded Podcast puts your brand front and center with a highly engaged creative audience—300 K+ YouTube subscribers, 1.5 M+ views, and thousands of monthly listeners. Our flexible collaboration formats (sponsored deep-dives, co-produced series, live panels, webinars) integrate your thought leadership directly into in-depth conversations on art, design, culture, and innovation, amplified across our newsletter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Grow your brand within the world’s leading platform for creative discourse.
