Ecodesign tools for designers - defining the requirements

This paper presents the findings from a research project which set out to understand the type of requirements that industrial designers have of ecodesign tools, through the use of a web based prototype. Through qualitative data collection and analysis a number of important criteria for ecodesign tools were identified. The conclusions recognise the importance of developing holistic tools for industrial designers, identifying that a combination of guidance, education and information, along with well considered content, appropriate presentation and easy access, are all critical to their success. A framework for ecodesign tools for industrial designers is presented along with the evolution of 'Information/Inspiration' into a fully working web-based tool

Visual tools for sustainable design education

This report outlines the key steps undertaken in the fulfilment of the ADM-HEA project entitled ‘Visual tools for sustainable design education’. It outlines the key activities undertaken in order to meet the research objectives and presents the findings which emerged. The project culminated in the development of a ‘Food for thought’ checklist and a range of ‘Social Issues Cards’ which were tested with UK students and found to be valuable resources for raising awareness about social sustainability in undergraduate design students. They offer a design oriented perspective of social issues (which has not been provided before) and have been seen to raise student awareness of social sustainability

Preparing the way for mainstream sustainable product design – methods and approaches to inspire change

This paper proposes that there is a need to prepare undergraduate design students to be responsible practitioners when they enter the work place. The multifaceted approach adopted by the Design School at Loughborough University, to achieve this, is presented. The paper outlines and reflects on the differences between the idealistic environment that is provided within an educational setting and the actual situation in the design industry, where there is little evidence of mainstream sustainable design practice. The paper concludes that it is valuable to provide students with a range of skills which support sustainable design thinking, even if they are not at present required by the design industry, as it means that they leave university as informed individuals with the potential to lead the next generation of design practitioners

Investigation into the role of core industrial designers in ecodesign projects

Current ecodesign theory supports the belief that industrial designers have a valuable role to play in ecodesign because of their position at the early stages of the product development process 1. Despite this, current literature provides little evidence as to what this role should entail and whether this role is limited to industrial designers working at the strategic end of ecodesign. This paper provides empirical evidence to support the theory that there is a specific and valuable role for core industrial designers working at the operational end of ecodesign and presents the first detailed understanding of what this role involves

Designing for designers: ecodesign tools to inform and inspire

In recent years, it has been widely recognised that design has the potential to play a valuable role in the development of environmentally superior products and in response to this a wide range of ecodesign tools have been developed. Despite this, ecodesign literature indicates that designers do not have the right mechanisms to support the integration of ecodesign into early product development [1]. Research has suggested that many tools fail because they do not focus on design, but are aimed at strategic management or retrospective analysis [2]. A recent study has highlighted that many of the tools currently available and much of the information they provide is inappropriate to the needs of designers in terms of the content they provide, the language they use, their presentation style and their style of access [3]. This paper presents the findings from a collaborative research project, building on the results of a doctoral thesis that began to identify the requirements that designers have of ecodesign tools. The follow on project uses these findings to develop a more appropriate tool for supporting practical ecodesign activities. The research illustrates the importance of using an holistic approach in the development of tools, identifying that a combination of guidance, education and information, along with well considered content, an appropriate presentation style and an appropriate means of access are all critical to the success of tools of this nature

Involving the industrial designer in ecodesign

Involving the industrial designer in ecodesig

Information/inspiration: a web based sustainable design tool

This paper presents the results of research ongoing at Cranfield University to establish useful tools for designers to aid them in the process of sustainable design. Research completed as long ago as 1999 at Cranfield University [1] identified that to be successful, sustainable design should be considered at the earliest stages of PDP, where the design brief is most flexible. Despite this, research has shown that many companies do not have the appropriate mechanisms to integrate sustainable design early in the product development process and that there is a lack of appropriate tools. Many tools are available under the general heading of sustainable design but recent analysis [2] of these tools shows that the majority either focus on setting the strategic direction or are reflective tools such as life cycle analysis. Both of these types of tools do not aid designers in the early stages of product development. Research at Cranfield University has developed a greater understanding of the type of criteria required of a sustainable design tool in order to make it more appropriate to industrial designers. One of the deliverables of this project has been a sustainable design web based tool that combines sustainable design information with a selection of inspirational ideas. This paper presents the results to date of the research, outlines the tool and gives examples of its use

Refillable packaging systems: design considerations

For a number of years it has been widely recognised by governments and industry that current human activities degrade the environment and cause serious negative consequences for human population’s [Brundtland, 1987] and as such we need to identify more sustainable patterns of development. A reduction of the environmental impact of human activities by “factor 10” is now recognised as a key target [Simon, 1997]. Considerable research has been carried out to understand how socially and environmentally responsible behaviours can be integrated into the product development process. During the early 1990’s ‘green design’ was the main focus for improvements of this nature, i.e. design which focuses on single issues, such as the use of recycled materials. As understanding progressed green design was superseded by ‘ecodesign’, recognised as being a more holistic approach which tackles environmental issues at all stages of a product’s life cycle and encourages designers to think about new ways of doing things. Sustainable Design goes beyond the consideration of environmental issues and also recognises the importance of social and ethical issues in design. Literature in this field indicates that considerable and progressive body of research concerning the integration of sustainable design principles into product development exists [Fussler and James, 1996; Stevels, 1996], however there is very little evidence to indicate similar work existing in the field of packaging

End of life decisions: a design guide

The European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive is due to impact companies in the United Kingdom from January 2006 (Tollady, 2005). A key aim of this legislation is to reduce the environmental impact of electrical and electronic products by making producers responsible for recovering, reusing and recycling large percentages of the equipment they manufacture and import, once it reaches the end of its life. Despite this approaching deadline, the authors have found that many companies are still unclear about the implications this legislation will have on the design of their products. A key problem for companies is ensuring that design teams are aware of the requirements and feel empowered to develop products which are compliant. However, there are currently no practical tools to guide the design decision making process and support the development of financially viable, compliant electrical and electronic products. This paper reports on the SortED project which aims to develop an end of life decision making design guide to help companies quickly identify the implications of the WEEE directive on the products they design, manufacture and import, by guiding them towards appropriate design solutions that will help them get maximum revenue out of their products by using the restrictions of the Directive as an opportunity for innovation

A review of sustainability within product and industrial design courses in British universities

This paper presents preliminary research from a doctoral study which is investigating effective sustainable product design education in British universities, with respect to how social aspects are incorporated. The findings detailed and discussed in this paper relate to an online survey of academics that teach on undergraduate and postgraduate Product and Industrial design courses within the UK, undertaken between October and December 2009. The results show that the teaching of sustainability is more widespread than previous reports have suggested, with most respondents evidencing the consideration of social, environmental and economic considerations in their teaching. The respondents’ attitude towards sustainability within design education is also shown to be strong. This paper finishes by outlining further work to be undertaken by investigating best practice in the teaching of sustainable product design