DESIGN2024 WORKSHOP REPORT
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN: A CROSS-CONTINENTAL PERSPECTIVE
Held on 20th May 2024
Hosted by Sustainable Design (SIG) and The Design Society
Report Written By: Noela Shisiali and Romuald Ashuza
Background
The Sustainable Design Special Interest Group in collaboration with the AFRICA-DESIGN Initiative jointly hosted a workshop titled “Sustainable Design: A Cross-Continental Perspective” at the 18th International Design Conference that took place from the 20th to the 23rd of May, 2024 in Croatia. The Sustainable Design SIG fosters science-based knowledge to help industry tackle Sustainable Design challenges, aiming to advance sustainable product and service development, boost the use of sustainable tools and methods, and actively share real-world examples and insights with both academics and practitioners. Their priorities include mapping research to enhance cooperation, prompting sustainable design education, collaborating with other expertise groups, maintaining a design exchange platform for sharing resources, and involving younger researchers to energize the community. The AFRICA-DESIGN Initiative seeks to build a network of design researchers, educators, and practitioners based in African countries and beyond, with particular emphasis on design for sustainable development; and to link them with colleagues in the worldwide design community. The initiative builds on the perception of mutual learning opportunities in the challenges that we all share. The workshop at DESIGN 2024 served as a platform for the continuation of the initiative's work by aiming to provide an environment for active, collaborative learning during the workshop.
Scope
Design Society’s Mentoring Programme
The workshop began with a brief mention of the Design Society’s Mentoring Programme, highlighting a unique opportunity for attendees to become new mentees within the organization. The program offers participants the chance to be guided by experienced senior researchers. The value gained by the mentees was emphasized, including access to an international network, academic career advice, professional development support, and connections with diverse roles and careers in academia. The program is open to individuals at all career stages, with a particular focus on young members eager to build their networks.
Objectives of the workshop
The workshop aims to build awareness of the existing sustainability challenges and to generate new ideas for advancing sustainable solutions tailored to the needs of a sustainable vision for products or solutions, identifying the obstacles in the current situation, and exploring smart ways to transition from where we are now to a more sustainable future. This will be guided by strategic sustainability thinking, employing a backcasting approach rooted in fundamental sustainability principles.
Format of the workshop and Chronological Summary of the Workshop and the session summary
14:00 – 14:15 Introduction to Workshop objectives + Sustainable Design SIG & African Design Initiative
Moderators: Els Du Bois, Sophie Hallstedt, Benard Shibwabo
The workshop commenced with warm welcoming remarks from Els Du Bois, who welcomed the participants and introduced the organizing team. A lively tone was set for the event by engaging everyone in an icebreaker game, where participants had the challenge of identifying one truth among two lies, adding a playful twist to the start of the workshop. After the icebreaker, Sophie Hallstedt took the opportunity to discuss the SIG community, providing an overview of the work they do, and introduced the members of the SIG team. She handed over to Benard Shibwabo who took the stage to talk about the Africa Design Society, sharing the significant role it plays in the design landscape across the continent. He also introduced the members of the AFRICA-DESIGN Initiative.
14:15 – 14:35: Introduction to the sustainability challenges and instructions for scenario-based workshop method
Moderator: Sophie Hallstedt
The evolving legislative landscape. In 2023, sustainability reporting became a mandatory requirement, pushing companies to be transparent about their environmental, social, and governance impacts. Looking ahead, by 2035, new fossil fuel cars will be banned by the European Parliament, making a significant shift towards cleaner energy sources. In this context, companies are urged to adopt tactical and strategic approaches to navigate these challenges effectively. The market dynamics are also evolving with limited resources of critical materials like nickel, cobalt, and lithium, which are essential for many sustainable technologies. Additionally, there is an increase in customer awareness about sustainability issues, rising prices, and a persistent semiconductor shortage, all of which are influencing market conditions.
The key issue identified is that the transition to a sustainable society is happening too slowly. Tomorrow's solution must be fundamentally different from todays with a strong emphasis on minimizing negative sustainability impacts. To address this, companies must significantly improve their ability to integrate a strategic sustainability perspective into their product innovation processes. This will empower them to create more sustainable solutions that are in step with the rapidly evolving legislative and market demands.
Sustainable Product Development
The concept of Sustainable Product Development (SPD) capability is crucial for organizations aiming to accelerate their sustainability transformation. This capability is built upon three key pillars: the availability of resources, the competence and knowledge within the organization, and the use of sustainable design approaches, methods, and tools.
Challenges of sustainable design methods and tools
Sustainable design methods face several key challenges, including time and data, the complexity of quantifying sustainability, and the risk of suboptimization and rebound effects. Time constraints and incomplete data can hinder thorough assessments, potentially compromising the sustainability of designs. Accurately measuring sustainability is also difficult, requiring reliable metrics that capture environmental, social, and economic impacts. Additionally, designers must be cautious of suboptimization, where improvements in one area can lead to negative consequences, and mitigate rebound effects, where sustainable gains are offset by increased consumption. Finally, a holistic approach that considers the entire life cycle and value chain of products is essential to truly advance sustainability.
Sustainability Perspective Principles
Sustainability being a complex concept, can be understood from three key perspectives often visualized as concentric circles, with the smallest circle representing the economic perspective, the second largest circle encompassing the social perspective, and the largest circle representing the broader ecological perspective.
In an ecologically sustainable society, nature is protected from increasing concentrations of harmful substances and physical degradation, ensuring environmental balance. Similarly, in a socially sustainable society, people are safeguarded from structural obstacles that affect their health, influence, competence, impartiality, and ability to find meaning. This includes ensuring safe working conditions, free speech, access to education, non-discrimination, and the freedom to express and co-create cultural and purposeful conditions.
Scenario-based Method for the Workshop
BACKCASTING
Backcasting is a planning method that involves defining a clear vision of a desired outcome and identifying the necessary steps and actions required to fulfill the vision. The approach is structured around three key phases:
A) TO BE - ideal Sustainable Solution
This phase envisions what a sustainable product should ideally look like in the future. It focuses on identifying the key characteristics of a more sustainable product, exploring potential innovations in product and service systems, selecting appropriate materials, suppliers, and processes, and considering how the product will be maintained and its materials managed to support a circular economy.
B) AS IS - Current Solution
This phase assesses the current product’s sustainability, identifying both its challenges and strengths. It examines the materials and processes used and evaluates the sustainability impacts of the current design. Additionally, it considers the product’s end-of-life phase and how it is managed after use.
C) STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS
This phase focuses on developing suitable strategies and actionable steps to transition from the current state (AS IS) to the envisioned future state (TO BE). This includes outlining the necessary actions at strategic, tactical, and operational levels within the company to achieve the sustainable vision.
14:30 -15:45 Sustainable Design workshop – using backcasting from sustainability principles
A video detailing the life cycle of a t-shirt and its environmental impact was shared.
A brief summary of the video is as follows: Cotton farming demands vast amounts of water and pesticides, with 2700 liters of water needed for one t-shirt. The textile production process includes harmful chemicals and dyes, contributing to water pollution and toxic waste. After being manufactured, t-shirts are shipped globally, adding to their carbon footprint. The increase in fast fashion has escalated production, making fashion the second largest polluter after oil. Consumers can mitigate these impacts by shopping secondhand, choosing recycled or organic fabrics, washing clothes less, and reusing and recycling old garments.
To view the video, please use the following link: The life cycle of a t-shirt - Angel Chang - YouTube
After the video was shared, the participants (in groups) were required to apply the backcasting method based on sustainability principles to analyze and develop strategies for improving the t-shirts’ sustainability throughout their life cycle
15:45 -16:00 - Short summary presentations from the pre-workshop
Moderators: Benard Shibwabo, Yakhoub Ndiaye, Robert. P. Machera
Results from the pre-workshop that took place on 19th May 2024 among African participants were presented in this workshop to highlight the African perspective on sustainability in product development, specifically focusing on the life cycle of a t-shirt. In the pre-workshop, participants were divided into two groups to facilitate focused discussions.
The summary of the discussions per team is as follows:
Team One:
Presenter: Benard Shibwabo and Yakhoub Ndiaye
Step A: TO BE: Build a vision of a sustainable product with your group
Using materials that are culturally and locally appropriate, biodegradable and recyclable
Implementing a non-plastic rule - In Kenya, the government, through the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), implemented a ban on plastic in 2017 to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment.
Encouraging repurposing, such as turning old t-shirts into mops
Powering production with renewable energy sources like wind and solar
Creation of a center for recycling.
STEP B: AS- IS
The exploitation of human labor is a challenge faced in industries like textile production in many African countries
African Tradition is already based on lifecycle thinking where an item is repurposed instead of disposing it
Africa has vast natural resources that could fuel sustainable growth, but fluctuations and devaluation in local currencies can create barriers.
Many African industries rely on outdated or poor-quality machinery leading to frequent breakdowns and inefficiency. This hinders sustainable production efforts.
Reliance on Fossil-Fuel-Based Transportation is also a challenge since it contributes to carbon emissions, air pollution, and unsustainable environmental practices.
STEP C: STRATEGY AND ACTIONS
Adapting technologies to the local African context to ensure they are effective, accessible, and sustainable within Africa’s unique conditions.
Raising awareness and educating consumers on sustainable practices to encourage responsible consumption and support for eco-friendly products
Strengthening local industries by focusing on designing, and manufacturing goods within Africa. Though there is capacity, external support, and investment are necessary for growth.
Implementing a structured and coordinated strategy to address sustainability challenges at all levels
Team Two
Presenter: Robert. P. Machera
Step A: TO BE: Build a vision of a sustainable product with your group
Second Hand stores such as “mtumba” in Kenya and “mabero” in Botswana, promote reuse by supporting second-hand clothing markets.
Reduce water and energy use by washing t-shirts less frequently, minimizing the environmental impact.
Use biodegradable and non-toxic detergents in laundry, lowering the release of harmful chemicals into water systems.
Opt for cotton that is grown using sustainable practices, such as reduced water usage and fewer pesticides, contributing to a lower environmental impact
Replacing harmful synthetic dyes with organic, natural dyes protects workers’ health and reduces chemical waste in the production process.
STEP B: AS- IS: Current sustainability challenges for all lifecycle phases
The current system for collecting and managing textile waste is expensive and inefficient, leading to environmental and financial burdens.
Cotton production requires significant amounts of freshwater, which can deplete resources, especially in water-scarce regions.
Traditional skills and knowledge that could contribute to sustainable practices are underutilized, missing an opportunity to integrate local solutions.
Improper disposal of waste, including textiles, is affecting animal habits and health, as animals often ingest or become entangled in discarded materials.
STEP C: STRATEGY AND ACTIONS: How to reach the TO BE vision
Encourage the community to donate or resell t-shirts, keeping them in circulation longer and reducing the need for new production.
Implement strategies to use water more efficiently in cotton farming and textile production, reducing waste and conserving this vital resource.
Create a code of conduct for consumers and companies on how to responsibly use, care for, and dispose of sustainable t-shirts.
Invest in durable, sustainable raw materials to produce t-shirts that last longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
16:00 -17:00 - Discussion of differences in the understanding of sustainable design in various contexts
Questions discussed:
Do you have any thoughts on evaluating sustainable design aspects in an African context?
Some of the responses from the workshop participants were as follows:
- It is important to capture local knowledge, tradition, and cultural aspects in a new solution
- Sustainability complexity is huge
- Indigenous paradigms need to be rethought to fit the African context before applying it
How can you work with design in education and practice to achieve sustainable design in resource-constrained settings?
Some of the responses were as follows:
- Stakeholders need to be included
- Education should improve and curriculum should be redesigned to suit the challenges that the African continent faces.
- It is not different from other settings. It is a matter of economics, politics, and increased consciousness.
17:00 -17:15: Finalize the workshop
The workshop ended on a positive note with a short presentation from Adam on how the introduction of new technologies in low-income contexts can be supported efficiently.
Acknowledgments
Appreciations
- The Design Society
- Workshop Organizers
- Sophie I. Hallstedt
- Els Du Bois
- Gillam Dokter
- Adam Mallalieu
- Panos Papalambros
- Margareta Norell Bergendahl
- Benard Shibwabo
- Yakhoub Ndiaye
- Robert. P. Machera
- Romuald Ashuza
- Noela Shisiali
Participating Institutions:
- Chalmers University
- University of Antwerpen
- Botho University
- Strathmore University
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology
- University of Michigan
- Kenyatta University