
Playful encounters: Letting whimsy guide our interactions with organizing systems
Yan Theriault
Master Student in Information Studies
BLUE Fellowship
2026
BLUE Fellowship
2026

Background
Information organizing systems arrange resources into a specific order, usually with the goal of facilitating certain interactions, such as information retrieval. Designers of organizing systems, in considering user needs, will inevitably prioritize certain types of interactions, and systems are typically evaluated based on how effectively they perform these functions.
This project explores what happens when users approach information organizing systems with a sense of whimsy or with needs that could be considered fringe or niche. Can playful encounters with organizing systems lead to unexpected discoveries, surprising connections, and valuable insights? And can we design systems that facilitate this mode of engagement?





