ABSTRACT
Play and playfulness are often reflected within the design process, from the initial concept and planning phase through to the completed project. Healthcare is benefiting from playful design, in concepts such as outdoor gyms and adult playgrounds through to the promotion of healing environments, which use color, shape, form and light to promote relaxation and feelings of emotional wellbeing. Play is known to trigger creativity and this is not just for people who are considered to be right-brain' dominant. The concept of Playful Design has been described as the use of game thinking and playful elements in the design of user experiences in non-game contexts'. Art Care is the Arts in Health provider for Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, which has patient and staff experience at the core its work and utilizes this experience to facilitate evaluation and planning of everything they do.
