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Design does make a difference in our daily lives

How often would you choose stairs over escalators? Study finds that more than 99 % of the people choose escalators over stairs. Sponsored by Volkswagen, The Fun Theory.com conducted an experiment at a metro exit in Stockholm, Sweden, where they covered the stairs with patterns that look like piano keyboards. ( and they do make sounds) With the change of patterns, people who used stairs rather than escalators increased by more than 66%. ( See the link below for the video). This fun experiment not only shows how people can be motivated to exercise, but most importantly shows how human behaviors can be changed by design elements around them.

For the video of the experiment, check   Piano stairs

2 Comments

  1. Alexander Nguyen wrote:

    I saw this and I thought it was a cool idea. I would be one of the people that would run up and down the stairs a few times before leaving. The video was amusing and it was fun seeing the reactions people had to the stairs, especially the kids. I wonder how long this would last though? I feel like this would be short lived and eventually people will start taking the escalator again. I think the best way to make people choose the stairs instead would be to just take the escalator out. And for people who can’t use the stairs, just make a ramp where the escalator use to be. If they keep the piano stairs there for a long time I wonder if people will start to get annoyed by it? I also wonder if it would make a funny song if someone were to fall down the stairs.

    Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 3:58 pm | Permalink
  2. Kacey wrote:

    One of the many things nobody ever tells you about
    middle age is that it’s such a nice change from being young.

    Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 5:33 am | Permalink

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