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Title

The Participant Journey Map for Playful Interaction in (semi-)Public Spaces

Summary

The Participant Journey Map for Playful Interaction in (semi-)Public Spaces Playful interaction in (semi-)public spaces can take many forms, such as interactive playgrounds, exergames, tools to support rehabilitation, and museum exhibits. These systems have the potential to support positive behaviors such as social interaction, a positive attitude towards physical activity and task motivation, hereby contributing to health and well-being. Play within these systems varies from unstructured open-ended experiences, where players can set their own goals, to structured games with predefined objectives and closed endings. To better understand how to design for playful interaction in (semi-)public spaces, the Participant Journey Map (PJM) was developed, based on theory, insights from previous projects, and expert interviews. The PJM is a framework that provides structured insight into the different participation phases and influential factors for interactive play in (semi-) public environments. It consists of four layers: two overarching phases, six underlying states, transitions between them and (design) factors that influence these transitions. It visualizes the phases (Onboarding and Participation) that a (potential) participant moves through towards (potential) participation in an interactive play environment. The Onboarding phase contains the states Awareness, Interest, and Intention. The Participation phase contains the states Exploration, Continuation, and Finishing. Key The PJM was evaluated through observations of 672 play encounters with interactive exhibits at Naturalis and Museon. This illustrated that the PJM is effective in visualizing and analyzing participation flows, identifying factors that promote progressions or cause stagnation. Findings highlight the variations in participation patterns across different user groups and circumstances, providing valuable insights into user behavior in real-world, situated contexts. Additionally, the PJM was iteratively translated into tools for design practice and evaluated in the context of design education. The PJM offers a structured way to understand and evaluate playful interactivity in public space. It provides actionable insights into how design and contextual factors, such as spatial configuration and visibility, influence participation. This is especially valuable when playful interactions are implemented to support health and well-being in public contexts. This work contributes to a broader understanding of how interactive play can foster sustained engagement and meaningful user experiences. By offering a practical framework for planning, designing and evaluating playful systems, the PJM enables designers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to create systems that support not just initial engagement but also long-term participation.

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