It’s not child’s play
My favorite definition of “play” came from my days at Crayola, where after exhaustive research and expert opinion, we landed on: “It’s what kids do.” That’s how kids learn about the world around them.
Workshop participants build paper cup towers at the Centre for Design Innovation
Play provides a safe environment for experimentation and (*gasp*) failure. Games offer the ability to role-play or introduce healthy competition.
Jess McMullin and others (Luke Hohmann, Serious Games, LEGO, Pat Kane) are using games and play within product, software, service and even policy development. This article via boxesandarrows describes why we use games, core game principles, how to apply games, and how to sell design games to your organization or client. There’s also some good links and great commentary.
Adults play too! We call it serious play. Someone glancing through a window at a serious play session might think it looks like all fun and games. When you’ve experienced it for yourself, you’ll know nothing could be farther from the truth, serious play if framed and facilitated correctly can be serious business!…with a bit of fun!!
Personally I have found the LEGO SERIOUS PLAY methodology very powerful.
It’s invigorating, do be able to play again like a child. I love playing games, coloring and painting. And seriously I have been hooked on this site: http://thecolor.com