Joy of use and emotions are important aspects when crafting experiences. Now an interesting initiative of Volkswagen illustrates how important this fun factor really is. The goal of the initiative is to change human behaviour for the better and the theory behind it is, that the easiest way to make someone do something is to make that thing fun. The following two examples reveal the potential of the theory.
Funny steps
The first project, the Piano Staircase, is an installation in a subway station in Stockholm. After setting up sensors, which play a sound on every step, 66% more people choose to take the stairs instead of the escalator.
Funny trash
Another project is The World’s Deepest Bin that plays a sound every time someone throws something in it. The result: people did not only throw their own trash in the bin, but also searched around it for more things to throw in and hear the sound again.
Seems like fun really has a big influence on human behaviour. We’re looking forward for what’s coming next on the website of the initiative!
Great theory! And I love the sound of the bin… :-)
great examples!
although not directly related to the initiative itself, this piece by Chris O’Shea supports the “fun theory” concept as well:
Hands from Above, a public augmented reality installation for BBC Big Screen & FACT in liverpool…
And here you can find the next project http://www.thefuntheory.com/bottle-bank-arcade-machine
First I thought this wouldn’t make as much fun as the other two projects, but then I saw the happy people, who were even dancing when achieving a new high score :)
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