Why one charity is giving its collection tin a makeover

The new charity collection box has been designed to encourage giving and is more practical for volunteers. Photograph: Layer Design/Layer Design

What is it? A brand new collection box for cancer charity Maggie’s.

Why is it special? It’s a collection box with personality. It leans towards you with an open face almost as if to say, “go on, please feed me your money”.

What’s the design like? Designed to attract attention, it’s taller than the old design and is available in three bright colours. The money slot can accommodate coins of all sizes as well as notes for anyone feeling extra generous. The easy grip form will help Maggie’s volunteers carrying heavy, coin-filled collection boxes. While the shopkeeper will also be pleased as the base takes up less room on counters than the previous version.

The design process that led to the tin’s new shape. Photograph: Layer Design

What the designer says: Layer, a London-based design agency, is the first to redesign the charity collection box which is normally a generic cheap product, re-branded by various charities. Benjamin Hubert, the agency’s founder, designed the new version and said: “We wanted to turn an unsightly object into something quite desirable. It’s actually made from the same materials as the traditional box. Plastic can be beautiful.”

If it ain’t broke, why fix it? Standing out in the crowded charity market is crucial yet every charity currently uses the same collection tins. “You’ll be able to link this object to the charity,” Hubert says. “Not everyone knows who Maggie’s are as it’s not a huge charity but we think it can be much more recognisable.”

It leans towards you with an open face almost as if to say, ‘go on, please feed me your money’. Photograph: Layer Design

What the charity says: The concept behind the new collection box is small change can make a big difference. Sarah Matthews, marketing director at Maggie’s, says she’s pleased with the result: “Architecture and design are vital to the care Maggie’s offers. We are excited by the potential for a new charity collection box, which reflects our strong design ethos, to help raise much-needed funds to support people with cancer and their family and friends.”

Will it work? Only time will tell. The charity will be piloting the new design over the coming months. What do you think? Leave a comment below or tweet us @GdnVoluntary.

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