Sustainable Design

This term describes a design philosophy that values the natural environment as an integral factor in creating new products or modifying old ones. This is to try to maximise overall efficiency with surrounding resources, such as transport, as well as energy efficiency, habitat preservation and restoration, natural and renewable energy sources, water conservation, recycled, local and non-toxic materials, and healthy and productive interiors. It is also the learning about green buildings and cradle-to-cradle design. Designers have to keep in mind from the initial stage and before designing the product how this can be re-used after its usage.

Planned Obsolescence

This is based on the concept of intentionally limiting the life of products so that consumers are manipulated into consuming more. This creates conflicting views which keeps workers and designers in employment and also helps the economy. But on the other hand, waste is created by the premature replacement of the commodities. Such examples are: Disposable shaving blades, computers, tv’s and mobiles, small perfume bottles, make up refills, ect.

Planned obsolescence can arise either from the change in appearance and style or a change in technology.

Cradle-to-cradle Design

This term was developed by William McDonough in 2002. Under this philosophy, products are evaluated for sustainability and efficiency in manufacturing processes, material properties and toxicity as well as potential to reuse materials through recycling or composting.

This example could be seen in Products in the PUMA InCycle collection which is Cradle to Cradle Certified. This way it could be disposed in way that it decomposes without the need of adding chemicals and harming the environment.

Amanda Crisp. 2013. Go Green With Sustainable Design Practices [online] Available at: http://www.vtldesign.com/vital-design-news-jobs-and-culture/vital/green-sustainable-design-practices/ [Accessed on 22^nd January 2014]

MBDC. March 2013. Products in the PUMA InCycle collection are Cradle to Cradle Certified[online] Available at: http://www.mbdc.com/2013/03/12/products-in-the-puma-incycle-collection-are-cradle-to-cradle-certified/ [Accessed on 22^nd January 2014]