In this essay from my perspective as a furniture designer and theacher at a design college I explore the idea that design actually is (playful) play. And if not exactly play that a playfulmind is an asset when it comes to being a designer as well as an teacher. From two portrayals and throughout the essay from experience as designer I study the different concepts play, design, design-process and creativity to see what tears them apart as well what binds them together.