Building a strategy grounded in real insight from young people and youth workers, not assumptions

Most youth centres struggle with engagement. The problem isn’t young people — it’s the environment. Discover how behavioural design can transform youth centres into inspiring spaces young people actually want to use.

In 1998, a graphic design Master's dissertation unexpectedly became the foundation for a real digital intervention used with young offenders. This article explores how behavioural design, interactive storytelling and youth-focused communication helped create a tool that engaged young people long before apps existed.

In 2011, Prime Minister David Cameron visited my studio at Leicester’s LCB Depot to meet creative businesses in the Midlands. It was an unexpected moment that highlighted the role creative industries play in social communication, behavioural design, and youth engagement projects.

When an unused pub in Sheffield was purchased by the council the challenge was not simply refurbishment — it was creating a place young people actually wanted to spend time in. By involving young people directly in the design process, the building transformed into a vibrant youth space with a gym, café, computer zones and performance areas. This project shows how environment, design and participation can shape behaviour and create spaces young people feel proud to use.

A youth centre starts influencing behaviour before any conversation begins. The design of the space — colours, layout, imagery and atmosphere — quietly sends signals about safety, belonging and possibility. In this article, we explore how thoughtful youth centre design can encourage engagement, build confidence and create environments young people genuinely want to spend time in.

Behaviour-led design can influence choices long before habits form. This project shows how interactive visual design helped young people understand the real consequences of smoking turning a simple environment into a powerful preventative tool.

The design of a waiting room can influence how people think and feel before a conversation even begins. Discover how behavioural design, environment, and subtle visual cues can shape decisions long before words are spoken.

Traditional smoking campaigns often fail to connect with young people. Inhale This! was designed differently — using behavioural design and interactive learning to help young people explore the real effects of smoking in a way that felt engaging, memorable, and relevant to their lives.