Fostering a culture of collaboration through playful Design Jams

This paper explores the potential of playful design jam as a complement to the formal education to foster a cul-ture of collaboration in an informal learning environment. The literature is reviewed to explore the concept of collaboration capability, the model of team development and the theory of play, and identify the processes and variables that enable playful collaboration. The collaborative path within design jams is mapped, and playful moments and critical moments for an increased motivation for collaboration are identified. By reflecting on nine design jams conducted as part of Global Jam events, activities, tools, methods and environment to facilitate ef-fective collaboration among the participants are discussed.