Abstract
This paper outlines a framework for integrating practices, principles and methods for sustainability into current design practice and education. Designers can play a role in contributing to sustainable change as they are positioned in the early stages of a product or innovation development process. Therefore the potential impact on the transformation of products into more (sustainably) desirable ones can be substantial. Through a case study comparing the current state of design education in relation to sustainable development with approaches to sustainability in design agencies, the argument is made that the theory-practice gap in the implementation of actionable sustainability strategies has not been bridged yet. The author provides insights into a process to integrate the aforementioned sustainability practices, principles and methods, that has been tested both at a large design agency and at a design university. The case study holds implications for the actionable integration of sustainability at the core of design and innovation processes both in design education and design practice.
Presenters
Florian SametingerProfessor, Design Research and Theory, University for Art and Design Linz, Austria
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Applied Research, Sustainable Design, Design Research, Theory-Practice Gap, Design
