Can we design product that encourages positive behavioral changes? For example, by motivating consumers to become healthier, or reducing consumer pollution.
Designing for behavioral change is text book for advertizing and marketing creatives, but how often do product designers incorporate it into their design thinking? It can be said that the athletic footwear design has encouraged a more active society to develop. But what other positive behaviors can be encouraged through design?
Probably one of the most famous behavioral changing footwear designs was the 1968 Onitsuka Tiger Corsair, later known as the Nike Cortez. Its thick, cushioned foam sole design encouraged leisure running and the jogging culture to develop.
The Onitsuka Tiger Corsair.
Via SNEAKER FREAKER
But what other shoe designs have encouraged behavioral change and how often do designers think about designing for it?
Below are a few examples of footwear that have encouraged behavioral performance related change within the running footwear market.
Changing the way we run.
The Nike Free.
The Vibram 5 Fingers KSO.
The Luna Sandals LeadCat.
The “Designing for Social Change” TED Transmedia 2012 talk by Andrew Shea introduces us to consumer behavior, habits, how to disrupt them and change them.
What are some of the design triggers that can influence behavior change?
On a side note regarding behavioral change, below is another video of a recent environmental initiative in Mexico City. The Mercado de Trueque encourages locals to exchange their recyclable waste for fresh local food produce. The initiative also promotes the development of local farming which creates jobs and reclaims unused urban spaces.
74 FOOTWEAR DESIGN CONSULTING 