Design for sustainability II

HUM-398 / 3 credits

Teacher(s): Conti Marius, Laperrouza Marc, Mélo Michka Sylvain

Language: English

Withdrawal: It is not allowed to withdraw from this subject after the registration deadline.

Remark: Une seule inscription à un cours SHS+MGT autorisée. En cas d'inscriptions multiples elles seront toutes supprimées sans notification.

Summary

This course explores and practices some of the fundamental tools of designing for sustainability with a focus on the sustainability, desirability, and economic viability of solutions.

Content

See the full description in the autumn semester course - HUM-397: Design for sustainability I.

 

During the spring semester, sessions are devoted to the prototyping of a solution through a project-based approach.

 

Lecturers provide guidance on semester projects on a regular basis.

 

Teams will be made up of engineers (EPFL) and industrial designers (ECAL).

 

There will be two workshops (one in fall, one in spring) aimed at strengthening professional competences (interdisciplinary and team work, etc.).

Keywords

design process, desirability, viability, sustainability, prototyping, interdisciplinarity, project-based learning

 

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

HUM-397: Design for sustainability I

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Apply an iterative prototyping approach to test the sustainability, desirability, economic viability of a project
  • Develop an innovative and sustainable project through ideation techniques
  • Estimate the potential impact of a sustainability-driven project

Transversal skills

  • Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
  • Take account of the social and human dimensions of the engineering profession.

Teaching methods

  • Group work under weekly lecturer supervision

Expected student activities

  • Work in interdisciplinary teams
  • Attend weekly project consultations at ECAL
  • Design a solution through prototyping
  • Document and valorize the processes of designing for sustainability

Assessment methods

  • Project and documentation: 80% (groupwork)
  • Reflexive note: 20% (individual)

Supervision

Office hours No
Assistants No
Forum No

Resources

Bibliography

  • Ceschin, F., & Gaziulusoy, I. d. (2020). Design for sustainability : a multi-level framework from products to socio-technical systems. Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY: Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.
  • Manzini, E. (2015). Design, when everybody designs : an introduction to design for social innovation. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press.
  • Papanek, V. J. (1972). Design for the real world; human ecology and social change. New York,: Pantheon Books.
  • Thompson, P. B., & Norris, P. E. (2021). Sustainability : what everyone needs to know. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
  • Verganti, R. (2016). Overcrowded : designing meaningful products in a world awash with ideas. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press.
  • Wizinsky, M. (2022). Design after capitalism : transforming design today for an equitable tomorrow. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press.

Ressources en bibliothèque

Websites

Moodle Link

In the programs

  • Semester: Spring
  • Number of places: 60
  • Exam form: During the semester (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Design for sustainability II
  • Project: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: mandatory
  • Semester: Spring
  • Number of places: 60
  • Exam form: During the semester (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Design for sustainability II
  • Project: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Spring
  • Number of places: 60
  • Exam form: During the semester (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Design for sustainability II
  • Project: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional

Reference week

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