Sustainability and Circular Design (SL)
Duration
20-25 Hours
Unit Objectives
This unit of inquiry develops an understanding of the complex relationship between design choices,
material properties and their impact on sustainability. Through theoretical exploration, practical exercises
and real-world context, students will gain a critical understanding of how to classify materials based on
their structure, composition and performance characteristics.
Interconnectedness
Design in Theory | Design in Practice | Design in Context | |
| B1.1 User-centred design | ||
| A2.2 Prototyping techniques (SL) | B2.1 The design process (SL) B2.2 Modelling and prototyping (SL) | C2.1 Design for sustainability (SL) C2.2 Design for a circular economy (SL) |
| A3.1 Material classification and properties (SL) | B3.1 Material selection (SL) |
Learning Intentions
Through critical thinking, practical activities and context, students will:
learn material selection and understand how material properties influence design outcomes
explore various prototyping techniques, including physical and virtual methods, and understand their
role in evaluating design decisions and material appropriateness
apply the iterative design process to develop solutions for sustainable design challenges; this includes ideation, research, development, evaluation and improvement cycles
gain hands-on experience with creating physical and virtual prototypes, applying them to refine
design solutions and assess material choices
practise selecting materials based on their understanding of properties, sustainability considerations
and function within the design
investigate the principles of design for sustainability, emphasizing material selection, life-cycle analysis and circular economy principles
explore the concept of the circular economy and how design plays a role in closing material loops and minimizing waste.
Linking Questions
How do design decisions related to the properties of materials and components impact a product’s life-cycle analysis? (C3.2)
How could the continued development of biodegradable materials influence designers’ ability to address aspects of design for sustainability and design for a circular economy? (C2.1, C2.2)
What are the advantages of using virtual prototyping techniques over physical prototyping techniques when developing sustainable products? (A2.2)
How can high-fidelity prototyping techniques ensure a product can enter the circular economy? (A2.2)
Does material classification suggest the sustainability of a material? (A3.1)
Which manufacturing techniques should be avoided when designing products for a circular economy? (A4.1)
To what extent does a user-centred design (UCD) strategy promote the development of a sustainable product? (B1.1)
How can the suitability of a product for a circular economy be determined through product analysis and evaluation? (C3.1)
Why are some products that are developed using a design for sustainability strategy not suitable to be part of a circular economy? (C2.1)
To what extent does material selection affect a product’s suitability as part of a circular economy? (B3.1)