This foundational course introduces students to sustainability concepts related to business, community, communications, and innovation, as well as covering practical design-for-sustainability (D4S) concepts, strategies, tools and techniques. The universal design-for-sustainability approaches covered in the course are applicable for practicing designers of all disciplines, as well as innovators, marketers and entrepreneurs. Students learn and apply these concepts and strategies to self-directed design projects and exercises in addition to readings, research, lectures, and discussions.
Fundamentals of Sustainability
This project explores the environmental and health impacts of everyday hair care products by analyzing ingredients, packaging, and manufacturing processes.
It proposes redesigning shampoos through sustainable alternatives—like refillable containers, reduced ingredient lists, and dematerialized packaging—to reduce waste and chemical pollution.
This approach promotes cultural and behavioral change toward conscious consumption and challenges the beauty industry to prioritize transparency, health, and sustainability.
the ‘s’ doesn’t stand for sustainable
Sham[e]poos:
This course established a foundational understanding of design for sustainability strategies principles.
This project proposes a focus on design for reduction.
One proposed solution was Dematerialization by reducing the amount of product and packaging. A mind map was utilized to help guide solution ideas and direction.
Substitution proposes homemade solutions, simplifying the ingredients. The Regime Shift Diagram outlines cause and affects through actions: Instead of premade shampoo, companies could sell homemade recipes, which then could decrease hair products being made and encourage customers to make products at home instead.
By changing the system, this project analyzes how behavior can be influenced and decreases waste from bottles on the shelves.