📚 Main Topics

1. Definition of Circular Design

   • Circular design goes beyond just making durable products; it reflects the complexity of the circular economy, inspired by nature.
   • It involves considering material selection, business models, services, and the wider system in which products exist.

2. Challenges in Mainstream Adoption

   • Despite many innovative ideas, circular design struggles to scale due to the prevailing linear economy.
   • Designers face incentives that often lock them into traditional design practices.

3. Key Considerations for Designers

   • Circular design solutions must be desirable, viable, and feasible.
   • Sustainability should not be the sole selling point; products must also offer convenience and quality.

4. Examples of Successful Circular Design

   • ElectroluxShifted to a service model for washing machines, emphasizing convenience over just environmental benefits.
   • Back MarketA platform for refurbished electronics that makes purchasing easy and affordable, demonstrating a viable circular economy model.

5. Guidance for Implementing Circular Design

   • Designers should utilize existing guidelines for disassembly, material selection, and innovative business models.
   • Emphasize collaboration, prototyping, and understanding systems to create effective circular solutions.

6. Resources for Further Learning

   • The Ellen MacArthur Foundation's circular design guide and various industry-specific guidelines (e.g., from IKEA, H&M) provide valuable insights and methods for designers.

✨ Key Takeaways

• Circular design is about creating products that fit into a sustainable system, not just about durability.
• The transition to a circular economy requires a shift in mindset and practices, as well as collaboration across industries.
• Designers have existing skills that can be leveraged to support circular design, but they must also adapt to new tools and guidelines.

🧠 Lessons Learned

• Circular design must balance environmental considerations with user desirability and business viability.
• Successful circular design models prioritize convenience and quality alongside sustainability.
• Continuous learning and adaptation are essential for designers to effectively contribute to a circular economy.