It would also help to figure out how much energy the elevators are actually using vs. other things. It could be that the elevators are quite efficient compared to heating in student dorms that’s contributing to most of the energy costs or something. I think visualizations are a powerful way to motivate people when simple messages goes in one ear and out the other.

Your idea about the elevator is particularly striking. If you dont mind, I think I’ll suggest to our emPower group on campus, and see if they want to use it as a means of saving our energy

@Catherine: I read that paper in Jen’s class! Loved it! It seems like there’s a lot of literature on sustainable design, but not any that I know of that combine with emotional design as well. They seem to be mostly tailored to people’s sense of practicality and what’s good for the environment rather than emotional attachment. I’ll add references to the blog post as updates when I find them.

I like your idea of applying emotions to stairs and doors, I can see it as a cool proof-of-concept video!

Probably better targets for interaction-based attachment higher-cost items that should be used longer than they usually are, like cars or phones. If cars developed lots of personality from use, then there would be higher switching costs. However, the most obvious way to do it would be to allow the personality to be transferred from car to car, like a SIM card. But perhaps since it's not usually in manufacturer's incentives to reduce switching, a third-party solution might apply which would be more stable (requiring hardware customizations which are more difficult to install).

If you could think of a compelling way to develop owner-vehicle rapport which would be more permanent, but without triggering the resale value reflex, then perhaps you could really diminish excess consumer switching. Maybe something as simple as a third-party system which embodies the vehicle and is a bit more smarmy about effective maintenance. Build an owner-vehicle bond while lengthening the lifespan of the vehicle (otherwise people don't take care of their cars) in a more trustworthy way than the manufacturer's “put money in” lights.

@Catherine: I read that paper in Jen’s class! Loved it! It seems like there’s a lot of literature on sustainable design, but not any that I know of that combine with emotional design as well. They seem to be mostly tailored to people’s sense of practicality and what’s good for the environment rather than emotional attachment. I’ll add references to the blog post as updates when I find them.

I like your idea of applying emotions to stairs and doors, I can see it as a cool proof-of-concept video!

Probably better targets for interaction-based attachment higher-cost items that should be used longer than they usually are, like cars or phones. If cars developed lots of personality from use, then there would be higher switching costs. However, the most obvious way to do it would be to allow the personality to be transferred from car to car, like a SIM card. But perhaps since it's not usually in manufacturer's incentives to reduce switching, a third-party solution might apply which would be more stable (requiring hardware customizations which are more difficult to install).

If you could think of a compelling way to develop owner-vehicle rapport which would be more permanent, but without triggering the resale value reflex, then perhaps you could really diminish excess consumer switching. Maybe something as simple as a third-party system which embodies the vehicle and is a bit more smarmy about effective maintenance. Build an owner-vehicle bond while lengthening the lifespan of the vehicle (otherwise people don't take care of their cars) in a more trustworthy way than the manufacturer's “put money in” lights.