LAB for Play and Design

Introduction

Ambition and method

In the LAB for Play and Design, we showcase and explore the potential of play across various professional domains. Our ambition is to establish and support a community of play that not only inspires academic expertise and creative expression but also fosters constructive dialogue and innovative solutions.

We have a strong belief in play and its impact on us as individuals – both intrinsically and as a catalyst for creativity and problem-solving. Therefore, we integrate playful approaches as an active and integral part of the design process.

In collaboration with businesses, organisations, and institutions, we aim to promote a playful society that encourages creative expression at all levels.

hero-child-centered-design-for-play
Invitation

Konference

Research theme

Playful Learning

Even though design for play is noted for enhancing creativity and satisfaction among children and students, its role in pedagogical contexts other than daycare and pedagogue education is often overlooked. Our research aims to explore how play-oriented design can lead the way into the unexplored territories of pedagogy and promote engagement and collaboration. Introducing play designs across pedagogical domains aims to structure practices and support pedagogical professionals in prioritizing play.

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Research theme

Playful Care

Play is a powerful tool for transforming healthcare spaces, and the integration of play into healthcare practices is a dynamic process, blending local expertise with international perspectives. When we push to structure and standardize playful approaches through design thinking and design methodology, we do so with the goal of creating healthcare environments that meet the physical needs as well as support the emotional and psychological well-being of young patients, setting a global standard for pediatric care excellence. 

Research theme

Play-centered Design Approaches

Play-centered Design Approaches are methods, techniques, and tools that enhance our ability to explore and develop play design. Through facilitation and reflection and by challenging the existing, we support experimental play design processes and strengthen the connection between research and practice. Our close collaboration with users, practitioners, and stakeholders helps to enhance the professionalism and quality of playful processes, designs, and experiences.

Reseacrh theme

Playful Attraction

Incorporating opportunities for playful inquiries enhances chances of meaningful, immersive experiences that reflects back on identity, life and society. Museums, Libraries, Experience Centers and Festivals can spark life into this in diversified ways. Playful forms and practices combined with story-making and story-making techniques can lead to fascinating experiences that allows for deeper levels of meaning-making.

In the five-year Playful Attraction Programme, we collaborate with museums, libraries, and experience centers, that can demonstrate a high potential, unique place-based DNA and with intentions to create the means for playful, meaningful experiences. We combine development processes with research investigations through a group of highly skilled designers, experienced leading researchers, and talented Design-for-play students.

Meet

LAB for Play and Design

Lab for Play and Design

Anne-Lene Sand

Associate Professor, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Ask Fogsgaard

Research Assistant, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Barnabas Wetton

Teaching Associate Professor, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Brian Jørgensen

Teaching Assistant Professor, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Cecilie Ann Alveniz Blicher

PhD Student, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Emilie Bech Jespersen

Research Assistant, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Helle Graabæk

Teaching Associate Professor, Programme Manager of Textile Design, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Helle Marie Skovbjerg

Professor, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Jennifer Ann Skriver

Postdoc, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Jesper Falck Legaard

Associate Professor, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Jess Uhre Rahbek

Assistant Professor, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Karen Feder

Associate Professor, Programme Manager of Design for Play (MA), Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Karl Alexander Sejrup

Teaching Assistant Professor, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Sustainability and Design, Lab for Play and Design, Lab for Social Design, Rectorat

Lene Nyhus Friis

Project Director and Head of Lab for Play and Design, Lab for Social Design and Lab for Sustainability and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Louise Aagaard

Assistant Professor, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Maria Lyndgaard Petersen

Research Assistant, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Martha Lagoni

PhD Student, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Mathias Poulsen

Postdoc, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Mikkel Vinding

PhD Student, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Nina Sofia Rüder

Teaching Assistant Professor, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Sigrid Vinther Hansen

Teaching Assistant Professor, Lab for Play and Design | Continuing education (maternity leave)
Lab for Play and Design

Sofie Kinch

Assistant Professor, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Stine Behrendtzen

PhD Student, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Sune Klok Gudiksen

Associate Professor, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Thilde Hvidtfeldt Freiesleben Laursen

Research Assistant, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Vera Arianne Hijkoop

PhD Student, Lab for Play and Design