Design for Sustainable Behaviour: Using Products to Change Consumer Behaviour

Authors: Tracy Bhamra, Debra Lilley, Tang Tang
Source: The Design Journal, Vol. 14, Issue 4 (2011), pp. 427–445
DOI: 10.2752/175630611X13091688930453

Overview

This paper explores sustainable behaviour. It links product use and consumer care. Products now shape how users act. The research shows that energy use and care depend on user acts. This idea makes design matter.

Sustainable Design and Behaviour Change

Sustainable design views many parts of a product’s life. It sees the impact on nature, people, and money. Yet, care for people is less studied.

• DfSB asks: How do products make users act well?
• Many campaigns by governments and groups often fall short.
• There is a gap between what buyers say and what they do.
• Use goes beyond buying. It goes to how users care during use, repair, and discard.

Behavioural Models and Habit Formation

The work links simple ideas about minds to how habits form:

• The Theory of Planned Behaviour shows that belief, norms, and control shape acts.
• The Integrated Model of Interpersonal Behaviour finds that feelings and routines help actions.
• Habits arise from simple, learned acts done without thought.
• These habits can stop change. Designers try to break the routine by changing product use.

Each word in a design and user link bonds close. This bond keeps thoughts clear and steady.

Design Intervention Strategies

The paper makes a clear model. It links early cues with product acts. The model uses:

• Feedback in products to show impact.
• Design cues that nudge care.
• Changes in shape that shift how products are used.
• Tools that bridge what users want and what they do.

These cues join close to make each step clear.

Case Studies: Mobile Phones and Household Refrigerators

1. Mobile Phones (Social Impact Focus):

   • The work shows design that helps social acts.
   • Phones now hint at shared use and caring ways.

2. Household Refrigerators (Environmental Focus):

   • The design hints at saving energy through use.
   • Study shows that simple cues help users switch to saving energy.

Each case shows how design and use work close together. This link builds habits that care for all.

Ethical Considerations

The paper adds that design must work with care. It asks designers to:

• Respect each user’s free choice.
• Be clear on aims.
• Avoid hidden, tricky acts.

Each decision keeps ethics and design close.

Conclusions and Implications for Designers

Design can shape better acts. It uses clear links in product use. Good design needs a mind for habits and acts. Social care should join with nature and money care. The work calls for a shift. It moves focus from production to daily acts of use.

Relevance for Sustainable Product Development

This study gives a simple guide. Designers learn to build care into each product. The guide helps users move from plans into acts. It shows how to work with users in fair ways. These clear ties help cut ecological and social harm.

For more detailed insights, case study specifics, and intervention frameworks, refer to the full paper:
Bhamra, T., Lilley, D., & Tang, T. (2011). Design for Sustainable Behaviour: Using Products to Change Consumer Behaviour. The Design Journal, 14(4), 427–445. DOI: 10.2752/175630611X13091688930453

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