Harvey Ball Quotes

Powerful Harvey Ball for Daily Growth

About Harvey Ball

Harvey Neil Ball (1921-1999) was an American commercial artist, designer, and creator of the Smiley Face icon, one of the most universally recognized symbols in popular culture. Born on October 30, 1921, in Lynn, Massachusetts, Ball's artistic talent became apparent at a young age. He studied graphic design at the Worcester Art Museum School, where he refined his skills and developed a passion for advertising art. In 1957, while working as an advertising agency art director in Philadelphia, Ball created the Smiley Face as part of a campaign to boost morale during the busy holiday season. The simple yet powerful design was intended to remind people to "smile" and appreciate their work amidst the stress of the festive period. Little did Ball know that his creation would transcend time and culture, becoming an enduring symbol of happiness and positivity. Ball's career spanned over four decades, during which he worked for various advertising agencies in cities like Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston. He was a prolific designer and contributed significantly to the field of commercial art, creating numerous memorable campaigns and designs. In addition to the Smiley Face, Ball is also credited with designing the now-iconic "Have a Heart" campaign for American Greetings Corporation in 1976. Despite his accomplishments, Harvey Ball remained humble throughout his life. He passed away on September 8, 1999, but his Smiley Face continues to bring joy and positivity to people all around the world, serving as a lasting testament to his creativity and impact on popular culture.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Smile, it increases your face value."

This quote by Harvey Ball highlights the simple yet powerful impact of a smile. It suggests that smiling not only enhances one's personal appearance but also conveys positivity and friendliness to others. Smiling is a universal gesture of goodwill, which can help build relationships, foster positive interactions, and even improve one's own mood. Essentially, the quote encourages us to share our smiles as a means of increasing not only our external value (in terms of how we are perceived by others) but also our internal happiness.


"Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face."

This quote by Harvey Ball suggests that laughter, like sunlight, has the power to warm and illuminate our emotions, dispelling feelings of sadness or gloom, much like winter's chill departs when the sun appears. In other words, laughter can lift one's spirit, making a person appear less somber and more cheerful. It serves as a reminder that humor and positive emotions have the ability to brighten our lives even during difficult times.


"A smile is a curve that can put a lot of straighten out when life bends us sideways."

This quote emphasizes the power of a simple smile in helping us cope with difficult times. In essence, it suggests that when we are faced with challenges or stressors that bend our lives "sideways," a smile can help straighten out those difficulties by bringing a sense of calmness, positivity, and connection. It underscores the healing effect of expressing empathy, kindness, and optimism in the face of adversity.


"Smiling reduces stress in yourself and makes people around you less tense."

The quote highlights that expressing a smile has a dual benefit: it alleviates personal stress and creates a more relaxed atmosphere for those around you. Essentially, smiling can serve as an effective tool for managing stress levels and fostering positive interpersonal relationships.


"The best thing to give to your friend is a good example."

This quote by Harvey Ball highlights the importance of leading by example in our relationships with others, particularly friends. By demonstrating positive behavior, we can provide the most valuable gift to our friends - a model of how to live a fulfilling life. In essence, showing kindness, honesty, integrity, and other admirable qualities not only inspires them but also strengthens the bond between us. So, instead of giving advice that may be forgotten or ignored, we offer them a living example they can learn from and emulate.


The catch phrase for the day is 'Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile.'

- Harvey Ball

Help, Act, Phrase, Catch

There are two ways to go about it. You can take a compass and draw a perfect circle and make two perfect eyes as neat as can be. Or you can do it freehand and have some fun with it. Like I did. Give it character.

- Harvey Ball

Give, Perfect, Some, Neat

I made a circle with a smile for a mouth on yellow paper, because it was sunshiny and bright.

- Harvey Ball

Mouth, Paper, Made, Circle

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