Designing for Playful Tension

The PhD project explores how to develop a new theoretical concept of play design that invites theoretical reflection on design decisions while respecting the context of play design practice.

Jess Uhre Rahbek developed the Playful Tension model as an instance of intermediate level knowledge by moving iteratively between a designerly reading of classic play theory and participatory observation of the play design practice in LEGO House.

The Playful Tension model conceptualises all play as being reliant on a tension between the orderly and the unruly. As such it proposes that the purpose of designed playthings is to assist the player in achieving playful tension by bringing the orderly and the unruly together. The PhD dissertation documents the development of the Playful Tension model and how it is used in the play design practice of LEGO House.