Sustainable Design Notes
Subject Overview
Sustainable Design builds understanding of sustainability's role in future design practice — moving past the fading 'eco fashion' trend toward the genuine, lasting concern about textiles' environmental impact. Students examine the entire production process of a textile product, collaborating conceptually with technologists, scientists, growers and manufacturers to understand performance, aesthetic qualities and how consumers actually use a product. This is a 2-credit core theory paper focused on applying sustainable design techniques and communicating their outcomes.
Subject at a glance
2
Units
7
Topics
2
Credits
2
Infographics
Unit-wise Syllabus
2 units — open any unit for detailed topic-wise notes, diagrams and important exam questions
- Role of sustainable design in future design practice
- scope of sustainable design
- understanding the theoretical
- technical and practical considerations of a product's entire production process
- 1. Design: For longevity and recycling
- 2. Sourcing: Organic, recycled fibres
- 3. Production: Less water, energy, chemicals
- 4. Use: Care, repair
- 5. End of life: Reuse, recycle
Study guide
This unit covers the role and scope of sustainable design in the future of design practice and the theoretical, technical and practical considerations across a product's whole production process. Look at a product's life from fibre to disposal.
- Asking the right questions
- collaborating with technologists/scientists/growers/manufacturers/marketing
- understanding consumer-facing performance and aesthetic qualities and how products are actually used
Material
What is it made of, and where from?
Process
How much water, energy and chemicals?
People
Are workers treated fairly?
Use
How will people actually use and wash it?
End
What happens after it's discarded?
Study guide
You learn to ask the right questions, collaborate with technologists, scientists, growers, manufacturers and marketers and understand consumer-facing performance, aesthetics and how products are actually used. Interview a user about how they use and discard a textile product.
Why Sustainable Design Matters
Sustainability is reshaping fashion and textiles, with buyers and consumers increasingly asking about materials, water, labour and waste. Designers who understand it are in demand.
How to Prepare for Sustainable Design
- Analyse the life cycle of one textile product from raw material to disposal.
- Research sustainable fibres and dyes.
- Follow sustainable fashion brands and their claims critically.
Sustainable Design: Frequently Asked Questions
What is sustainable design?
Sustainable design aims to reduce the environmental and social impact of a product across its whole life, from materials to disposal.