Shape of Play: Insights from Mattel's Global Research Study with MADO's Jaclyn Suzuki

If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdIn this episode of This is HCD, Gerry Scullion is joined by Jaclyn Suzuki, co-founder of MADO and former creative director at Ziba, to explore the findings from a groundbreaking global study on play — commissioned by Mattel and involving over 33,000 people across seven countries. Jaclyn shares insights into the six emerging play personalities, the growing need for play across all ages, and how brands like Mattel are translating research into real-world impact. From cultural differences in China, Finland and the US, to the tension between digital and physical play, this conversation uncovers how play connects, heals and transforms.MADO website: https://www.lookwithmado.com/‍Connect with Jaclyn via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclyn-suzuki/Key Takeaways:🌍 Play is Universal: It transcends age, borders, and background.🤖 Digital vs Physical: The nuances of screen-based vs real-world play.🎯 Future of Play: How brands are reimagining connection through play.Creators & Guests Gerry Scullion - Host Serdar Mele - Editor Stef Murphy - Producer Like what we do? Make a Tip. Or Leave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdJoin our Community: https://circle.thisishcd.com/Join-CommunitySponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10

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Welcome to This is HCD – Human-Centered Design, UX & Service Design Thinking Podcast, the global show for designers, innovators, and changemakers who want to create better products, services, and experiences. Hosted by Gerry Scullion, with over 1-million downloads worldwide. Each episode dives into conversations with leading voices in service design, UX design, interaction design, customer experience, and design strategy. Together, we explore the methods, mindsets, and real-world stories that bring human-centered design and design thinking to life. Whether you’re a UX researcher, service design practitioner, product manager, or design leader, you’ll find actionable insights, practical tools, and inspiration to elevate your practice and drive meaningful change. Tune in and join the global human-centered design community — learn how to design with purpose, create inclusive solutions, and shape a more thoughtful future.