The Role of Designers in the Transition from a Linear to a Circular Economy

Mia Münster*, Sönnich D. Sönnichsen, Jesper Clement

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Research shows that a significant portion of the environmental impact from products is determined already in the design phase. Implementation of principles of Circular Economy (CE) in design practice has the potential to reduce waste and to encourage reuse of resources. Since designers are responsible for the design process, it is therefore relevant to investigate whether designers are properly equipped to take responsibility for the shift toward CE and to implement circular practices in their work process. In order to discover and understand impediments to the implementation of CE principles within the complexity of real-world design practice, 20 professional retail and hospitality designers were interviewed. The study presents a snapshot of designers' knowledge of CE, and identifies barriers and drivers seen from the designer's perspective.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationWith Design : Reinventing Design Modes. Proceedings of the 9th Congress of the International Association of Societies of Design Research (IASDR 2021)
EditorsGerhard Bruyns, Huaxin Wei
Number of pages7
Place of PublicationSingapore
PublisherSpringer
Publication date2022
Pages1188–1194
ISBN (Print)9789811944710
ISBN (Electronic)9789811944727
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022
EventNinth Congress of the International Association of Societies of Design Research. IASDR 2021 - School of Design of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Duration: 5 Dec 20219 Dec 2021
Conference number: 9.
https://www.iasdr2021.org/

Conference

ConferenceNinth Congress of the International Association of Societies of Design Research. IASDR 2021
Number9.
LocationSchool of Design of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Country/TerritoryHong Kong
CityHong Kong
Period05/12/202109/12/2021
Internet address

Keywords

  • Circular economy
  • Retail and hospitality design
  • Designer role
  • Sustainability

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