From Play to Innovation
And the correct homework answer is… Etch A Sketch! I recently gave a simple homework assignment to the students in a class I’m teaching at Stanford’s d.School called “From Play to Innovation.” I asked each student to tell me their favorite toy from childhood and then compiled the responses through screen shots of the actual toys, all found on eBay (who says you can’t buy back some great childhood memories?!). I then presented the answers back to class.
Most adults equate play with silliness and kids, and not themselves. My class reinforces how important play is in innovation. It reminds us of what it’s like to morph into a state of flow and lose track of time when one is truly enjoying the moment. If you’ve ever taken part in a really creative brainstorm, you know what this feels like – ideas rapidly flowing, laughter all around. You can sense the energy in the room! Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play and my co-teacher for the class says, “the opposite of play is not work; it’s boredom or in severe cases, depression.”
The toy homework exercise reminds us that, as kids, we played because it was enjoyable. The reward was getting to play again. This doesn’t have to go away as we get older. This spirit and attitude of play is something we can continue to want for ourselves and others, even in our work environments. How can you incorporate play into your day? Can you recall your favorite toy?
Nice write-up brendan… I had a lot of favorite toys as you may recall. I really like those that you could build things with like the big collection of blocks that we had, the tinker toys, the erector sets, the electronic sets that you could build buzzers, and flashing lights and radios with. den
Hi Brendan,
In addition to getting into a state of flow and enjoyment, play can also be about trying different roles and situations without judgment. Kids often play out new or “taboo” subjects with dolls to understand or test new situation and behaviors.
Innovation is very similar in that we get to think through ideas that may be considered crazy, out of scope, taboo for our industry, etc. And good innovation only happens when judgment is suspended.