Challenging Industrial Design Students to Foster Sustainable Behaviors

Abstract:- During their time in university, students of industrial design are typically trained to improve the appearance, function and value of products. This product-centric focus of the industrial designer’s work is often blamed for the proliferation of unnecessary products in the market and the promotion of such wasteful values as rapid obsolescence and conspicuous consumption. In this paper, the usual product-oriented syllabus of a third year industrial design studio course is challenged to embrace new content: that of fostering sustainable behaviors in the community through the design of product systems. Childcare centers and residential colleges in the university campus were targeted as “clients ” for the students to engage in positive behavioral changes. Student reflections reveal that they enjoyed the experience of interacting with clients and working on briefs which tackle sustainability issues. Key-Words:- industrial design, sustainable design, design educatio