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.Category Archives: debates in sustainable design
Let’s talk local
Many of us have probably assigned a “local materials” brief. I have a couple of these in my teaching guide. One focuses on having students work hyperlocally (10-mile radius) and the other focuses on the balance between local and global components. Global sources for the materials and processes in bluejeans Resources aren’t evenly distributed and… Continue Reading
Definitions of social design: get them debating
Need to get students talking about the “social” aspects of sustainability? Try asking about definitions. In the Designers Atlas of Sustainability I wrote, “From our history of human activity, such as language, technology, beliefs, and values—what do we want to sustain over the long term? In some ways it’s easier to identify things we don’t… Continue Reading
Cheap in a good way: flat pack and beyond
Constant cost cutting can make things “cheap” in a bad way, but recently we’ve seen examples of making things cheap in a good way. Flat pack furniture might be one, possibly arguable, example where things are made cheaper in a good way. Another example is Professor Manu Prakash’s $0.50 microscope—the “Foldscope” that is printed on… Continue Reading
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