Creative Communities: Shaping Process through Performance and Play

Abstract

This paper studies the use of play as a method to unlock creativity and innovation within a community of practice (a group of individuals who share a common interest and who see value in interaction to enhance their understanding). An analysis of communities of practice and the value of play informs evaluation of two case studies exploring the development of communities of practice, one within the discipline of videogames and one which bridges performing arts and videogames. The case studies provide qualitative data from which the potential of play, as a method to inspire creativity and support the development of a potential community of practice, is recognised. Establishing trust, disruption of process through play and reflection are key steps proposed in a ‘context provider’s framework’ for individuals or organisations to utilise in the design of activities to support creative process and innovation within a potential community of practice.

Do We Need Permission to Play in Public? The Design of Participation for Social Play Video Games at Play Parties and ‘Alternative’ Games Festivals

“…This study aims to contribute to this body of knowledge, focussing upon formalising design approaches, exposing practice and disseminating the knowledge drawn from a panel of experts whilst also considering the impact of these events upon society. The design of event and community participation has received significant academic attention within the fields of learning (Wenger, 1998;Wenger-Trayner, Fenton-O'Creevy, Hutchinson, Kubiak, & Wenger-Trayner, 2015), business (Wenger, McDermott, & Snyder, 2002), the arts (Simon, 2010;White & Parker, in press) and creative industries (Brandt, 2006;Parker & Galloway, 2017). Drawing from this landscape of theory around participation, the emerging model of practice identified within social play event design through this research can be evaluated, contextualised and better understood in terms of its impact upon individual and social participation.…”