Abstract

In a time that increasingly demands instant creativity, adaptability, and innovative thinking on a constant basis, nurturing a curious attitude among young adults must become a critical focus. Creativity and curiosity can be encouraged throughout various stages of life, and for myriads of personality types, the focus demographic of this paper is young adults, ages 18 to 26 years old. Young adulthood is when one starts to recognize post-formal thoughts. This stage of cognitive development helps to approach concepts beyond binary thinking, developing the unique abilities of ambiguous thinking and relativism. The enigmatic, ever-changing, and easygoing mind will often try new and challenging experiences. However, the older we get, the more we settle into our thoughts and beliefs. Employing a well-balanced playful exploration in gamified structures, games can transform routine tasks into enriching opportunities for personal growth and intellectual stimulation. This paper aims to explore the role of playful exploration and gamification in enhancing creative thinking, with an emphasis on designing games that cater to diverse intellectual styles. It investigates how tailored gameplay, supported by theories of creativity, emotional gratification, and gamification can reignite curiosity and enhance creative thinking among young adults. This is tested through dual approaches of engaging strategic and visual intellectual styles, offering practical insights into game design and its broader applications in education, professional development, social interactions, and everyday life.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Board games--Design; Creative ability in adolescence; Curiosity

Publication Date

12-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Industrial Design (MFA)

College

College of Art and Design

Advisor

Melissa Dawson

Advisor/Committee Member

Stan Rickel

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

IDDE-MFA

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