Notes Design

That design has the power to affect behavioural change is something we've always understood. Architectural spaces are a prime example of this. But the UK is taking the lead to turn their concerns into action in a meaningful way.

A few days ago, the UK Design Council hosted a conversation between 40 leading designers, a number of young people and the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to explore ways that design can be used to protect young people from crime, particularly the theft of 'hot' products such as mobile phones and MP3 players. Here's a snippet from the story,

The focus is on generating innovative design briefs which offer a clear business opportunity for manufacturers who will be encouraged to develop them into the next generation of crime-safe gadgets. [...] Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said:

"I am delighted that so many of our best designers have contributed their time and expertise to today's event and I look forward to seeing genuinely new and commercially viable products flow from it. The role that good design can play in cutting crime is well established but success depends on effective partnerships between Government, the police and the design industry."

"We have made a clear commitment in last year's Crime Strategy to bring design into the centre of our fight against crime and to receive such strong support from our partners is extremely encouraging."

Imho, conceptual work in this area will be even more valuable in the emerging markets at the bottom of the pyramid where gadgets like the mobile phone have become such an important part of people's livelihoods and theft is far more common due to the challenges of poverty.