Interview about TipTip Faucet, winner of the A' Social Design Award 2021
The name TipTip resonates the sound of water droplets signifying the importance of every drop by comparing it with the fuel in a scooter. As the consumption of fresh water increases worldwide it is expected that two thirds of the world population could be facing scarcity by as early as 2025 and TipTip is a playful design of a scooter-shaped faucet that nurtures water saving behavior among children. It makes children more conscious of consumption in a playful way while using for washing cleaning and brushing so that it can set up habits for life.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe journey behind Tip-Tip Faucet began with a simple yet urgent insight, children are the future stewards of our planet, and habits formed early can have a lifelong impact. We were particularly inspired by growing concerns about water scarcity and the need for engaging ways to promote sustainable behavior from a young age. That is where gamification came in as a powerful tool to change behavior. By making the act of using water playful and interactive, we saw an opportunity to build water-saving habits in a way that feels fun, not forced. The scooter shape was chosen intentionally it is a form children naturally relate to, evoking joy and movement. The name Tip-Tip mimics the sound of dripping water, reinforcing the idea that every drop counts, much like every drop of fuel powers a scooter. Tip-Tip does not just function as a faucet it is a behavioral tool, helping children become more mindful of consumption while brushing, washing, or cleaning. Through playful design and subtle gamification, it transforms everyday routines into moments of learning and awareness.
The research statistic that two thirds of the global population could face water scarcity by 2025 was a wake-up call. It made us realize that addressing water conservation cannot wait for future technologies or policies alone behavioral change needs to start now. We chose to focus on children because they are not only the most impressionable but also the most influential change agents within families and communities. If we can instill good water habits at an early age, those behaviors are more likely to become lifelong practices. Moreover, when children become excited about a solution like Tip-Tip Faucet, they often bring that enthusiasm home, encouraging sustainable behavior in their households. So our design wasn’t just about reducing water usage it was about planting the seeds of a cultural shift, starting with the youngest among us
We were inspired by how naturally children respond to emotional and visual cues especially when they are interactive. That’s why we integrated gamification into the Tip-Tip Faucet’s design through a simple yet powerful emoji feedback system. The smiling and sad emojis act like a game score rewarding good behavior and gently discouraging wasteful habits. Every time a child conserves water and sees a happy face, it feels like winning a small challenge. Over time, these micro-rewards build motivation and turn daily routines into meaningful interactions. Instead of relying on rules or reminders, the system taps into a child’s innate love of play and achievement. It’s behavioral design made fun, and it transforms sustainability into something kids are excited to practice
The fuel tank metaphor in Tip-Tip Faucet was a deliberate choice to symbolize water as a limited and precious resource something that can run out if not used wisely. Children may not immediately grasp the concept of water scarcity, but they do understand what it means when a fuel gauge drops toward empty. By visualizing water use like 'burning fuel,' we created a powerful, relatable analogy that makes the invisible resource consumption visible.This metaphor evolved during our design process through testing and observation. We noticed that when children could see a resource being depleted, they were more likely to adjust their behavior. So we set specific thresholds: at 100–50%, the indicator shows a full tank with a happy emoji, celebrating responsible use. From 50–10%, the fuel bar starts to decline and the emoji shifts to a neutral or slightly sad expression signaling caution. Below 10%, the tank appears nearly empty with a clearly sad emoji, creating a moment of reflection and emotional impact.These thresholds were carefully chosen to reflect typical durations for brushing or handwashing, ensuring the feedback remains realistic yet motivating. Ultimately, the fuel indicator does not just gamify the experience it teaches children that resources are not infinite, and that they have the power to consume them more thoughtfully
Integrating digital displays into TipTip Faucet while ensuring durability in a wet bathroom environment was a key challenge. We focused on using sealed, water-resistant components like capacitive touch sensors and simple LED indicators instead of complex screens. This made the interface intuitive for children and less prone to damage.The design minimizes openings and uses energy-efficient parts to reduce wear and power use. All electronics are enclosed in waterproof housings, and feedback is only activated during use. This way, we balanced engaging interactivity with the durability needed for daily use in family or public bathrooms
The name 'Tip-Tip' was intentionally chosen to create a playful yet meaningful connection between water droplets and the idea of a limited fuel source. For children, the sound 'tip-tip' mimics dripping water something they encounter daily. By linking each 'tip' with a drop of fuel being used, we created a simple, memorable metaphor: every drop counts.This conceptual bridge helps children understand that water isn’t endless. Just like a car runs out of fuel, the faucet can 'run low' if overused. Through their daily interactions seeing the fuel gauge go down or the emoji change they begin to associate small actions, like turning off the tap, with big impacts. It turns water conservation into a relatable, hands-on experience they can see and control
We believe Tip-Tip Faucet has the potential to shape how the next generation perceives and values water conservation by making the issue personal and actionable from an early age. By embedding behavioral cues and emotional feedback into everyday habits, children learn that their small actions have real consequences empowering them to become conscious stewards of resources.More broadly, we see behavioral design solutions like Tip-Tip playing a crucial role in addressing environmental challenges. Technology alone is not enough, lasting change happens when people’s habits and mindsets evolve. By designing products that engage users emotionally and make sustainability feel achievable and even fun, we can inspire collective action and build a culture of care around the environment
The compact dimensions of Tip-Tip Faucet were carefully chosen to balance practicality with playful design. We wanted the faucet to fit comfortably in various bathroom settings whether at home or in schools without overwhelming the sink space. At the same time, maintaining the recognizable scooter form was essential to engage children and make the faucet approachable and fun.The scooter shape itself symbolizes a vehicle that runs on limited fuel, reinforcing the idea that water is a precious resource that needs to be conserved. The proportions were influenced by ergonomic factors too, ensuring kids could easily interact with the faucet and clearly see the feedback indicators. We iterated on the size to keep it lightweight and easy to install, while preserving the iconic scooter silhouette that makes Tip-Tip instantly memorable.
During the early development phase, we noticed that kids often use the tap simply as a water source without much awareness of how much water they actually need for daily chores. Many would leave the tap running, sometimes forgetting to close it altogether. This lack of interaction and understanding highlighted the need for clear, immediate feedback to help children become more mindful.To address this, we integrated gamification elements like the emoji feedback system—that make the tap interactive and fun. By turning water use into a kind of game, with smiling or sad faces reflecting their behavior, children become more engaged and motivated to conserve water. We also observed that kids naturally treat the faucet like a toy, exploring it playfully. This inspired our scooter design, turning water conservation into an enjoyable experience rather than a chore.These insights shaped our focus on creating a durable, engaging faucet that not only educates but actively encourages lasting behavioral change through interactive play.
Designing Tip-Tip Faucet for both Indian and U.S. markets has underscored the importance of culturally sensitive behavioral design. While water scarcity is a global issue, the ways people perceive and interact with water can vary widely across cultures. Tip-Tip core approach—using playful, emotional feedback to encourage mindful water use translates well because it taps into universal behaviors, especially among children.However, we also recognize the need to adapt visual cues, language, and even interaction styles to respect local customs and habits. For example, water use routines and bathroom layouts differ, so we ensure the faucet’s size, feedback timing, and messaging are flexible. Ultimately, Tip-Tip aims to serve as a customizable tool that raises awareness and fosters responsible habits, no matter the cultural context or level of water scarcity. This adaptability is key to making meaningful impact across diverse global communities
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