Design for Sustainable Behaviour (DfSB) is an emerging research area concerned with the application of design strategies to influence consumer behaviour during the use phase of a product towards more sustainable action. Current DfSB research has primarily focussed on strategy definition and selection, with little research into formalising a mature design process through which to design these behaviour changing interventions. Furthermore, understanding the actual sustainability and behavioural impact yielded through such investigations is limited in addition to the suitability and transferability of evaluation methods and results having seldom been discussed. This thesis investigated how DfSB models and strategies can be implemented within a structured design process towards a sustainable change in user behaviour. This was achieved by focussing a case study within the UK social housing sector with the aim of reducing domestic energy consumption through behaviour changing intervention, whilst maintaining occupant defined comfort levels. Following an in depth study of physical and behavioural control mechanisms as well as comfort and energy within the research context, a behaviour changing prototype was developed through an augmented user-centred design process, resulting in a physical manifestation of one specific DfSB strategy feedback; a user agentive performance indicator. In order to evaluate this feedback prototype, an evaluation framework was developed, targeted at the three fundamental questions that arise when faced with the evaluation of a DfSB strategy led intervention: (1) Did the produced design solution function for the specified context? (2) Has the user's behaviour changed as a consequence of the design intervention? (3) Is the change in user s behaviour sustainable? Applying these core questions in practice through focus groups and user trials resulted in an evaluation of unparalleled depth. The findings of this thesis illustrate the success of using this augmented design process and tripartite questioning strategy towards the design and evaluation of a DfSB strategy led intervention, building a vital knowledge platform for the formalisation of transferable DfSB theory, design and evaluation methods.

Domestic gas consumption for central heating is a function both of the efficiency of the heating system and the way in which it is used. While many studies have concentrated on the performance of systems and their controls, there have been few studies of occupant behaviour. The thesis therefore studies household behaviour patterns relating to domestic gas consumption. There are two main aims: firstly, to study a variety of these patterns and, secondly, to make a detailed investigation of one particular behaviour pattern, namely window opening. These two studies centre on 113 households on two local authority estates, where all the dwellings are of similar construction. The first study makes use of two main data sources: quarterly gas consumption readings and data obtained from an in-depth interview with each head of household. It identifies a variety of behaviour patterns and their underlying motivations. Additionally, this study shows that design heat loss and terrace position account for less than a third of the variance in winter consumption. A regression analysis using only behavioural and social variables resulted in a similar proportion of variance being explained. These two sets of independent variables could not justifiably be combined due to their inter-correlations. In conclusion, it was suggested that consumption may not be determined by a few variables of major significance but rather by a large number of inter-acting variables each with a small influence on consumption. The second study, window opening, makes use of three data sources: a series of systematic window observations, meteorological data and data obtained from postal questionnaires. The study identifies the objective correlates of estate-wide window opening, as well as the subjective motivations for the opening and closing of windows. It highlights the wide range of variation in window opening amongst householders. In addition, the study indicates that householders adopt characteristic window opening patterns which they can reliably report.

Interior design is more than just the design of spaces. It is the study of human activity, interaction, movement and spatial governance. These result in the user being both emotionally and physically involved in the interior. Therefore interior design also allows for cooperation between building and user. However when this matter of cooperation is overlooked the negative effect falls on the service that the building provides leading to a negative user perception. User perception is currently not seen as a physical parameter within an interior condition; however it has a big role to play in terms of how public service buildings function. The interior spaces within the current South African public service domain are prone to this lack of cooperation between building and user. As is evident in service delivery, there is no sharing of information between building and user leading to confusion, frustration and an overall negative perception of the work that is being done there. Many different forms of analysis can be used to determine where these problems lie within the interior. Using elements from other fields of design can add layers of information enriching the design decisions made through the interior design solution. By overstepping the boundary between Service Design and interior design, the designer delves into a unique understanding of the processes and associated problems within the service delivery, and through this understanding a more informed spatial solution can be developed. Information visualization and interior design work hand in hand as an instrument in presenting both problems and solutions in a way that the layman can understand. In an industry where information is lacking, finding new streams of portraying it could change user perception in a positive way. The investigation of this problem will unfold in the Tshwane Licencing Departments. Four sites within this study will be investigated namely, Centurion, Waltloo, Akasia and Rayton traffic departments. These sites will be analysed to decipher the core problems that they share. The Centurion Licencing Department will be the site used to develop and test the proposed interior intervention. This site is an example of an interior with a lack of cooperation due to its misuse of interior space, lack of wayfinding, circulation and non-existent identity. Through efficiency, pleasant experience and providing the user with all the information needed to complete the process should allow for a cooperative interior and therefore a change in perception. Interior Design becomes the instrument to realise pleasant-efficiency for service delivery. Even though Interior Design has no control over the administrational aspects of service delivery, it can shape the platform on which it is delivered having a positive influence on both user and service provider. / Dissertation (MInt(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2014. / Architecture / MInt(Prof) / Unrestricted

Det här är ett designdrivet forskningsprojekt som kommer svara på frågeställningen: Hur kan man genom produktdesign bidra med mindre skärmtid för barnfamiljer vid middagsbordet? Studien baseras på användarcentrerad design och behavioral designmetoder och kommer att avgränsas till barnfamiljer med barn mellan 4-8 års ålder. Undersökningen inleds med att utforska vilka behov som finns genom intervjuer och enkäter med föräldrar och förskollärare. Design bidraget innebär att man genom behovsanpassad design utvecklar en produkt eller ett koncept som ska gynna användarna att ändra ett beteende och skapa en minskning i skärmanvändningen. Fokus ska ligga på att skapa en skärmfri stund vid middagsbordet och något som ökar konversationer. Kunskapsbidraget handlar om att belysa beteenden som skapas av en omfattande skärmtid av barn, då man ser att det blir allt vanligare med mycket skärmtid i vardagen. Bidraget blir även att ta reda på vilka slags design metoder vi kan använda för att minska skärmtid och komma med en lösning. Designbidraget i det här projektet är ett pussel som skapar en gemenskap i familjen vid matbordet. Pusslet ska ge ökad konversation vid middagsbordet och därmed skapa en gemenskap i familjen. Pusslet är utvecklat för att uppmana till att man lägger bort både Ipad och mobiler. / This is a design-driven research project that will answer the question: How can product design contribute to less screen time for families with children at the dinner table? The study is based on user-centered design and behavioral design methods and is limited to families with children between the ages of 4-8. The study will begin by exploring what needs there are through interviews and questionnaires to parents and preschool teachers. The design contribution involves developing a product or a concept through need-based design that will benefit the users by changing their behavior and create a decrease in screen-use. Focus will be on creating screen-free time at the dinner table and something that will increase conversation. The knowledge contribution is about highlighting behaviors that are created by excessive screen time by children, which is becoming more and more common in everyday life. The contribution will also be to find out what kind of design methods we can use to reduce screen time and come up with a solution. The design contribution in this project is a pussel that creates connection in the family at the diner table. The purpous of the pussel is to increase conversation at the dinner table that leads to a better family connection. The pussel is developed to encourageqqqe to put away both Ipad and mobile phones.

Previous research highlighted consumer dissatisfaction with fashion clothing products on offer. There is a lack of information about real consumers needs due to the industry standards of beauty and behaviour as well as a constant rush for innovation that feeds fashion cycles. This research identifies the elements that will enable fashion clothing companies to become more inclusive, and aims to find a methodological relationship between the stakeholders in the fashion industry: consumers, designers and companies. The research considered the difference between a mature market as opposed to emergent ones, and addressed differences between Western and Eastern cultures.