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Design for Circular Economy

Code 16459
Year 3
Semester S2
ECTS Credits 4
Workload TP(45H)
Scientific area Design Industrial
Entry requirements N.A.
Learning outcomes To be able to develop design projects that integrate environmental and social criteria, from a perspective of life cycle and circularity, through the use of design strategies and tools for the circular economy.
Mastery of circular design methodologies, deepening knowledge about each phase, but with a holistic view of the entire cycle and its interactions.
Know the principles, strategies and design criteria for the circular economy in order to know which one is most appropriate for each project.
Know how to select the materials and production processes with the least environmental impact, and according to the type of intended use and the estimated useful life of the object.
Master the main design tools for sustainability, which allow a correct integration of the design criteria for the circular economy in the project, as well as a realistic assessment of the impacts of the project / product, in order to better decide the commitments to be made.
Syllabus The circular economy. Linear vs circular paths. Life cycle perspective. Inputs and outputs. Bio-cycles and technocycles.
The butterfly diagram. The 3 R’s and 9 R’s. The principle of inertia.
Design strategies for the circular economy. Tools to support the implementation of the design process. Different types and scopes of the tools.
Quantitative tools. Life cycle assessment. Concept of eco-indicators and functional unit. Social life cycle assessment.
Qualitative tools. Simpler, faster and more suitable instruments for the creative process. Examples and experimentation.
Concept and development of a design project for the circular economy, with the integration of the strategies and principles discussed, and with the support of the available tools / toolkits, most appropriate to the type of project.
Articulation with the curricular unit of Industrial Design 6.
Main Bibliography - Bakker, C., Hollander, M. & Hinte, E. (2019). Products that Last: Product Design for Circular Business Models. Amesterdam: BIS Publishers.
- Bhamra, T. e Lofthouse, V. (2007). Design for sustainability - A Practical Approach. Hampshire: Gower.
- Chapman, J. (Ed.) (2017). Routledge Handbook of Sustainable Product Design. London: Routledge.
- Cooper, T. (Ed.) (2010). Longer Lasting Products: Alternatives to The Throwaway Society. London: Gower Publishing.
- Fuad-Luke, A. (2002). The Eco-design Handbook: A Complete Sourcebook for the Home and Office. Londres: Thames & Hudson.
- Proctor, R. (2015). The Sustainable Design Book. London: Laurence King Publishing.
- Tischner, U., et al. (2000) How to do ecodesign? A guide for environmentally and economically sound design. Frankfurt: Verlag.
- Webster, K. (2015). Circular Economy: A Wealth of Flows. Isle of Wight: Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Teaching Methodologies and Assessment Criteria This curricular unit is based on the typology of theoretical-practical classes in which theoretical and expository hours are supported by multimedia means (text, photo and video), bibliographic content and case studies that serve as a basis to encourage the debate on the themes of UC.
The practical dimension of the curricular unit, which is predominant, is based on the development of exercises for experimenting with the contents, namely in the application of strategies and tools, and in the relationship with the Industrial Design curricular unit 6.
The assessment is continuous and is based on a methodology that reflects the typology of the classes, having one dimension to assess theoretical knowledge and another to assess the practical skills developed. Thus, participation and motivation have a weight of 20%, the theoretical component is worth 20%, and that of the practical dimension 60%.
Language Portuguese. Tutorial support is available in English.
Last updated on: 2023-06-17

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