TipTip: A Playful Faucet Design to Nurture Water Saving Habits Among Children

A Scooter-Shaped Faucet that Makes Water Conservation Fun

Himanshu Soni and Satyakam Sharma, the designers behind the innovative TipTip faucet, have created a playful design that nurtures water-saving behavior among children. This unique faucet takes the form of a scooter, making it engaging and fun for kids to use while also raising their awareness of water consumption.

The name "TipTip" resonates with the sound of water droplets, symbolizing the importance of every drop by comparing it to the fuel in a scooter. The designers aim to instill in children the understanding that water is a precious resource that should not be wasted.

The TipTip faucet incorporates several features to encourage water conservation. Before turning on the faucet, an instructive message, "Drive Your Water Slow," appears on the display screen, setting the tone for conscious water usage. As the faucet is turned on, a blue circular percentage indicator appears on the headlight display, resembling a fuel tank that is full.

When the user turns off the faucet between 100-50 on the indicator, it signifies that the water consumption is below average limits. In response, a smiling face with a thumbs-up emoji appears on the display, indicating that the child is riding their scooter efficiently. If the faucet is turned off between 50-10, it suggests that the water consumption is around average limits, resulting in a neutral emoji face that signifies room for improvement in water usage. Finally, if the faucet is turned off at 0, indicating that the water consumption exceeds average limits, a sad face emoji is displayed, reminding the user to use water more efficiently.

The TipTip faucet is not only visually appealing but also easy to use. The steering handle of the scooter serves as the knob of the faucet. As the water discharges, the fuel of the scooter starts draining out, visible through the reducing circular indicator and percentage. This interactive design element helps children understand the direct correlation between their actions and water consumption.

The dimensions of the TipTip faucet are 60mm in width, 160mm in depth, and 120mm in height, making it suitable for installation in various settings.

The concept design for TipTip began in January 2021 and was finalized in February 2021. Throughout the design and research process, the main challenge was understanding the mindset and perspective of a child user and finding a playful way to nurture water-saving habits and behavior that can last a lifetime.

The TipTip faucet has received recognition for its innovative design. It was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Social Design category in 2021. This award is given to well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. The TipTip faucet stands out for its integration of industry best practices, competent technical characteristics, and its contribution to a better world.

The TipTip faucet is a testament to the power of design in promoting sustainable behavior and creating a more conscious approach to water usage from an early age. By making water conservation fun and engaging for children, Himanshu Soni and Satyakam Sharma have created a design that not only saves water but also instills lifelong habits of responsible water consumption.