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Toys and Play



Designers tend to think of toys as a separate subject from tools.
Webster's defines a toy as "a thing for amusement only; lightly,
without seriousness; plaything; flirt; game."

Toys can also be characterised as products that satisfy the social
or personal needs of the user. Toys are an adjunct to play.
As Johan Huizinga suggested in Homo Ludens, play is one of
the primary instincts of all human beings.

Huizinga observed that the main features of human play are also
found in the frolicking of animals. Here, play is not an aimless
reflex, but something which "transcends the immediate needs
of life and imparts meaning to the action."

Play can also be seen as a discharge of energy, or a form of
relaxation. It may be a training in work skills needed later in life,
or a practice in social restraint.

All theories agree that play probably serves a purpose beyond
the obvious, so prevalent is it everywhere.
"All play means something." (Huizinga)

 

© 1993- 1995 Alexander Manu ©1995 Danish Design Centre "ToolToys - Tools with an Element of Play "
The author grants permission to make a digital or hard copy of part or all of this work for personal use provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit. The copyright notice and the title of the publication must appear on all printed copies.