Recognise and intentionally
integrate play characteristics
into the
product range
of the corporation

Play Behaviour at Work


Over the past ten years we have conducted extensive applied research in Play Behaviour and the translation of behavioural characteristics and play patterns into a form and feature matrix for the development of mass produced products.

The chief objective has been to create "use experiences" by integrating the formal and functional characteristics of patterns of play behaviour into the tools of everyday life. While the creation of experiences can be a subjective assessment with respect to each individual user, at a minimum this approach enhances both usability and the pleasure of use.

The result of this work has been the formulation of the design paradigm "Form Follows Spirit" as well as the creation of the integrative development concept of ToolToy as its chief manifestation.

Rendered into a methodology, the ToolToy concept allows corporate decision groups to recognise and intentionally integrate play characteristics into the product range of the corporation, by emphasising the conscious reexamination of the design process from the perspective of a conceptual and behavioural model, in which play and the values it represents has a pivotal role.

Concurrent with our research and design activities on this subject, we presented ToolToys to international product development and design audiences world wide during numerous speaking engagements; this has provided the opportunity to perfect and further develop the concept, as well a workshop that allows corporations to successfully apply the methodology to their own product development.

While the concept and its methodology are of value to most corporations involved in product and system development, makers and marketeers of consumer products are likely to see rapid results in both product development as well as consumer acceptance

Form Follows Spirit is a paradigm in which the meaning of "function" is redefined from the perspective of the proposition that what makes a product "useful" and "practical" is its "Purposeful Relationship Value" - an integrative construct that results from a development model using the basics of human play behaviour as its staring point. Accordingly, Purposeful Relationship Value is the result of a process in which:

• The Human Need for Play leads to Behaviour
• Behaviour leads to Action,
• Action leads to Function,
• Function leads to Form,
• Form develops Ability,
• The Challenge to all Abilities creates Experience Value.
  

As a manifestation of Form Follows Spirit, we propose the conceptual model of ToolToys. ToolToys are products that satisfy not only the requirements for functional tools, but also fulfil the user's "need to play" via the provision of features conducive to experiences associated with play behaviour.

Methodologically, ToolToy is the development of physical models that translate the characteristics of play value into product or system features. As such, ToolToy is both a "Product" and a " Development Approach":

A Product
As a Product, ToolToy is an implement for all needs, serving to satisfy the social and/or personal needs of the user, as well as the physiological and safety needs.

In a ToolToy, proper function and playful attitude are equally important; both work in harmony to endow function with emotion. A ToolToy bridges the gap between work and play while enriching both.

ToolToys are integrative implements, meeting human needs at every level.As a tool, its physical aspect is flawless and without frustration to the user, providing effective performance and long-term reliability. It is comfortable and convenient in use and offers every precaution to ensure user safety.

A ToolToy playfully addresses the issues of fashion and status with sensitive, long-term solutions that offer attractive appearance, interactivity , multi-dimensional sensory feel, and emotional connection to the user's personal life.


A Development Approach
As a development approach, ToolToy recognises that users have social needs as well as physical ones; it emphasizes the importance of consciously reexamining the process of design from the perspective of an improved conceptual and behavioural model, in which play and its values has a pivotal role. Research has revealed the timeless characteristics that describe the design criteria of implements for work and play.

Whereas Tools have a Purpose which they perform FOR the user, and as such, they represent an extension of one's will, Toys perform WITH the user, as an extension of one's imagination. The ToolToy development matrix combines the characteristics of both in the INTENTIONAL Integration of PURPOSE and MANNER.

Purposeful integration dictates that in developing any product or system we specifically focus on the ways in which we can directly address all spheres of behaviour in terms of product form and function by addressing Value, Form, Function, Action and Behaviour from the perspective of play behaviour.

Value addresses the Functional Value as well as the Behavioural Value of products. From the perspective of play behaviour, Functional Value is determined by the activity that can be performed and it consists of:

• movement, (as in throw, slide, roll and catch)
• experience, (relationship between cause and effect)
• relation (the possibility of playing together with the product.)
  

In terms of Behavioural Value Characteristics, we explore the meaning and possible formal representations of "Fun, Rewarding, Challenging, Non frustrating, Engaging and Absorbing" as product attributes.

Form is developed from the perspective of its Comprehension Value, with examples of solutions that make products understandable by universal user groups, and insure their fit within the user's surroundings as well as be intelligible for his/her imagination.

Function is seen as the Educational Value of products, so we look for features that:

• provide for stimulus
• encourage the establishment of relation
• encourage creativeness
• encourage movement
  

Action is addressed will from the point of view of the Experimental Value offered by the products; this is determined by experiences which can be had with the implement , and the experiments which make it possible:

• formation of movement;
• recognition of purpose;
• ordering - the repetition of activity patterns towards mastery;
• measuring - the ability to achieve a measurable activity and value outcome.
  

Last but not least, we look at Behaviour with particular reference to:

• 1. Sensorimotor behaviour
• 2. Intellectual behaviour
• 3. Emotional behaviour
• 4. Social behaviour

Each behavioural pattern involved in the use of the specific products is reviewed according to the following Function Characteristics :

• 1. Stimulation in the area of the senses.
• 2. Stimulation in the area of motor abilities: 
  • to be able to carry out diverse and complex patterns of movement (coordination of movement),
  • to take into account and practice exactness of patterns of movement.
  • to be able to control muscle tension and relaxation (length of time, intensity).
• 3. Social skills: to offer experiences having to do with cooperation and competition.
• 4. Culture, tradition: to make experiences possible which demonstrate, on the one hand the need for rules of play and social behaviour, and on the other hand the changeable nature of these rules.

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