Exploring the complexity and agency of play through co-design and experiential design with and for adults

Exploring the complexity and agency of play through co-design and experiential design with and for adults

Exploring the complexity and agency of play through co-design and experiential design with and for adults

By Lorna Powell

Abstract

“This paper investigates the notion of designing opportunities for adult play in public space. The project responds to a changing landscape of play, within a context of worsening national mental health and a need for building resilience in our current climate. Following a methodology that includes co-design, social innovation and craft, the design intervention is a curated play walk in a local urban environment, inviting participation, exploration and creative expression. Through a qualitative evaluation of the intervention’s impact, there is an emergence of insights related to designing for play in public space, leading to the elaboration of a set of design for play principles.”

Reference

Powell, L. (2022). Exploring the complexity and agency of play through co-design and experiential design with and for adults. Proceedings of DRS. doi:10.21606/drs.2022.549 https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conference-papers/drs2022/researchpapers/178/

Keyword

Play, public space, co design, mental health research