Recess: Utilizing Gamification to Encourage Lifelong Creativity in Emerging Adults

While creative outlets are prioritized in childhood, adults in the United States are increasingly less likely to engage their creativity during leisure time, which ultimately impacts overall well-being. This project aims to explore: (1) What is creativity, and why is it beneficial? (2) What factors contribute to the decline of creative engagement? (3) How does engaging with creative outlets impact overall well-being? (4) How can play be used as a catalyst to foster creativity? Through a literature review, case studies, and visual analyses, this thesis examined and integrated existing research on creativity and play in order to effectively create a practical visual solution. For the visual solution, a gamified activity deck was created in order to prompt daily creative play and encourage emerging adults to cultivate lifelong creative habits.