Diffuse has the potential to change the way we see bike theft by turning a personal and private problem (being a victim of bike theft) into a shared public one. The goal is to create change and cause proactive actions against bike theft, which would otherwise not happen. By exerting paint, this device creates evidence that an act of theft has occurred and helps establish a sense of accountability between the thief and the community. The paint markings can be useful in helping a potential buyer of second-hand bikes or parts to avoid buying stolen parts, and by marking parking spots where bike thefts have occurred, and ultimately raising awareness of the growing rate of bike thefts in NYC.
Renzo J. Perez-Acosta
Renzo J. Perez-Acosta is a product designer and design researcher from Long Island with a special interest in products, services, and tools that help disabled people strengthen daily life skills. He has been involved in an eclectic range of projects, from packaging for Cannondale Bikes to designing furniture to illustrating book covers. He also contributed to Interior New York for years, writing a regular column on ecological objects and architecture. Renzo came to DSI to develop socially engaged design strategies, particularly in the business realm. He lives in Brooklyn.
