Abstract
Since the 1960s, designers and researchers influenced by thinkers such as Buckminster Fuller and Victor Papanek have questioned the environmental impact of design and emphasized the responsibility of designers in addressing global challenges, including climate change. Building on this legacy, this paper presents findings from interviews with six experienced professional designers working across product, furniture, and exhibition design. The objective is to examine how these practitioners integrate sustainable and circular economy principles into their work, and to identify the factors that support or hinder this integration in the context of accelerating climate pressures. This paper focuses specifically on sustainability-related challenges within contemporary design practice. The study explores key questions: How do sustainable development principles shape design decisions? What barriers limit the adoption of circular strategies? What incentives or structural conditions could better support environmentally responsible practices? How do criteria such as materials, manufacturing, installation, and transportation influence outcomes? And to what extent can designers guide clients toward more climate-conscious business models? The perspectives gathered reveal recurring themes: designing for durability, prioritizing local production, strengthening governmental support, fostering collaboration across stakeholders, and improving environmental impact assessment tools. One participant emerges as a strong advocate for ethical and sustainable design. Overall, the study underscores the need for systemic changes to advance climate-responsive and environmentally responsible design practices. By identifying both obstacles and effective strategies, it contributes to ongoing discussions on sustainable design offering insights for practitioners, educators, and policymakers committed to promoting ethical, resilient, and ecologically sound approaches within the field.
Presenters
Martin RacineProfessor, Design and Computation Arts, Concordia University, Quebec, Canada
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Technical, Political, and Social Responses
KEYWORDS
Sustainable Design, Circular Economy, Climate Change Adaptation, Design Practices, Durability
