“Shikake” is a Japanese concept referring to things designed to induce behaviors that help solve problems, but in a way that is inviting rather than coercive. In “Shikake,” Naohiro Matsumura defines these as mechanisms or setups that trigger action through subtle suggestion, not direct compulsion.
One definition of Shikake is to complete unfinished work. (仕掛けの仕事を終わらせる。)
A well-designed shikake is an elegant intersection of psychology, design, and problem-solving—helping people do what’s beneficial, not by command or constraint, but through attractive, fair, and interest-aligned invitation. Shikake aim to suggest alternative, desirable behaviors whenever explicit norms might fail due to human reluctance or lack of attention.
F.A.D.
For something to be considered a true shikake, it must satisfy the “FAD” conditions—Fairness, Attractiveness, and Duality of purpose:
“Attractiveness” means that a shikake invites action rather than forces it and increases the options available, allowing users to freely choose their behavior rather than feel pushed or coerced read more.
“Duality of purpose” refers to the difference between the goals of the shikake’s creator (solving a specific problem) and the goals of the user (pursuing their own interests). Objects without this duality are excluded from the definition of shikake overview and visual summary.
“Fairness” ensures that no user is disadvantaged or deceived by the intervention illustration. Shikake in Practice
A crucial aspect of shikake is that people often act subconsciously in response to them, moving toward a solution without necessarily being aware there was a “problem” addressed. If successful, a shikake is rarely avoided just because it is clearly a solution.
Secondary Effects
The concept also encompasses the idea of secondary effects: often, shikake succeed not by imposing explicit rules but by providing alternate goals that lead to the desired outcome. A classic example is the etched fly in urinals, which encourages accurate aim with no explicit instructions—reducing cleanup via a “secondary” behavioral effect.
Unlike machines or automatic solutions, shikake work by leveraging human behavior instead of equipment, offering flexibility and reducing maintenance or installation costs comparison example.
Nudges
Shikake are closely related to the behavioral economics idea of “nudges”—both approaches design environments so that the default or suggested behavior is beneficial, assuming people often act without deep, rational deliberation. For instance, it’s often more effective to connect a person’s interests to desired behaviors than to rely on direct requests or rules.
Examples
A bread maker, programmed to finish baking in the morning, uses aroma as a shikake to motivate waking up without an alarm.
In public spaces, design features increase awarenesss and influence how people move through spaces. e.g. A raised podium to encourage photography of a display.