Playful Interactions in Public

Governments, researchers, charities, schools, pubs, clubs and local communities all want to engage with the public to hear their opinions, involve them in events and get their commitment to sign up for initiatives and behavioral change programs. However, it is easier said than done. All, too, often only a small number take part while others shy away. How can technology be designed to encourage more active, diverse and sustained participation? How can technology be exploited to draw more people in that will champion causes, commit and even change the world? Instead of building yet another app, our 'out there' approach is to design tangible and physical interfaces, based on principles of playfulness, excitement, competitiveness, intrigue and pleasure. To truly engage with people in the public domain, however, needs us to be creative, colorful and daring in how we combine, mold and shape the form and context of physical and digital technologies.