Foster Sustainable Behaviors through Fun

by Brian Ling (aka. The Design Translator) on 12 November, 2009 - 21:58

Piano Staircase:
”Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator and feel better” is something we often hear or read in the Sunday papers. Few people actually follow that advice. Can we get more people to take the stairs over the escalator by making it fun to do? See the results here.

This video really made me smile.

It was created by The Fun Theory an initiative by Volkswagen “…dedicated to the thought that something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behaviour for the better. Be it for yourself, for the environment, or for something entirely different, the only thing that matters is that it’s change for the better."

It is great to see examples of design or designers succeeding in encouraging people to recycle or take the stairs, get healthy and perhaps save some electricity by shutting down the escalators. Check out another of my favorite below for inspiration in your next sustainable project.

Bottle Bank Arcade Machine:
Many of us return our plastic bottles and cans. Noticeably fewer recycle their glass. Maybe that’s because we don’t get any money in return, as we do for cans and plastic. Can we change this attitude by making recycling glass fun to do? So you are not just rewarded with a good conscience, you also get a smile. See the results here.

Check out the rest of their videos at The Fun Theory.

Original Post: http://www.designsojourn.com/foster-sustainable-behaviors-through-fun/