Far from being an indulgence, play unlocks potential, helping us reconnect with the primal, uninhibited aspects of ourselves our inner child. But it is by no means childish; play is a way of thinking that challenges conventions. It is freedom – freedom from rigid goals, perfectionism, and even the pressure to ‘succeed’. A voluntary act, pursued purely for its own sake, where creativity flows without expectation.
And in a world where efficiency is prioritised and even leisure is optimised for productivity, play is a radical act.
Historically, the Dadaists, Surrealists and Bauhaus pioneers, among others, used play to mock societal norms and redefine art, challenging conventions with humour, absurdity, and experimentation. Today, designers continue this tradition by creating objects and experiences that surprise and subvert.
The inner child and the…
