Cas Holman is a trailblazing inventor, designer, and author whose work underscores the transformative power of playful design in childhood development. With a keen focus on how intentional, imaginative play can unlock creativity, Holman’s creations inspire both children and adults to explore, invent, and dream big.
“Inventor of Rigamajig”
One of Cas Holman’s most renowned innovations is the Rigamajig—a modular construction kit designed to encourage open-ended building and collaborative problem-solving. Developed with the belief that play is fundamental to learning, Rigamajig allows children to construct complex structures using simple, durable parts, fostering spatial thinking, engineering skills, and social interaction. Its flexible design invites endless possibilities, embodying Holman’s philosophy that playful exploration is central to creative development.
“Author of “Playful”
Beyond her inventive constructs, Cas Holman is an influential author. Her book, Playful, delves into the science and art of play, emphasizing how thoughtfully designed environments and tools can nurture creativity from early childhood onward. Holman advocates for intentional design—crafting spaces and objects that invite exploration, experimentation, and joy—believing such environments are key to cultivating innovative minds.
Recently, Cas Holman participated in an engaging sit-down interview at the Fast Company Innovation Festival held at Convene, where she joined Zafe, Chief Creative Director and futurist from IZON. The discussion revolved around the role of playful design in shaping future innovators and how imagination can be harnessed as a tool for societal progress.
During the interview, Holman emphasized the importance of fostering curiosity through playful exploration, advocating for design approaches that prioritize openness and adaptability. She shared insights into her creative process and underscored the necessity of intentionally designing for play in educational and community settings. Zafe complemented these ideas by exploring how emerging technologies can synergize with playful design to create immersive, future-ready experiences.
Cas Holman’s work exemplifies how playful, intentional design can serve as a catalyst for creativity across generations. By developing tools like Rigamajig and authoring thought-provoking literature, she continues to inspire educators, designers, parents, and policymakers to prioritize play as a vital component of development and innovation.
Her collaboration with visionaries like Zafe at forums such as the Fast Company Festival underscores a shared commitment to reimagining the future—one where imagination and play unlock limitless potential for all ages.
