Designing for Transition: Ecodesign, Circularity and Regenerative Solutions - Ed.1

Program Overview

This Master's program trains professionals in sustainable development, circular economy, and life-cycle approaches for product design. Students gain expertise in eco-assessment methods, sustainable materials, and circular design strategies. The program includes practical experience through internships or professionalizing projects, preparing graduates for careers in a transforming product design industry focused on sustainability.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

This is a 1st Level Specializing Master program designed to educate practitioners in the fundamentals of sustainable development, the circular economy, and the lifecycle approach to moving towards sustainable production and consumption systems. The program aims to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to respond to the evolving needs of the product design industry, particularly in relation to the transformation of production and technological systems and the increasing demand for sustainable product strategies.

Objectives:

• Provide a comprehensive understanding of sustainable development, the circular economy, and the life-cycle approach.
• Equip graduates with the ability to design products with a low environmental impact.
• Develop skills in evaluating the sustainability of products using eco-assessment methods (Life Cycle Assessment, Product Environmental Footprint).
• Enhance knowledge of new materials and their role in sustainable production systems.
• Equip graduates to integrate LCA methods into business processes.

Outline:

The Master is divided into the following training modules:

Fundamentals:

• Environmental problems
• Multidisciplinarity
• Birth and history of various concepts (sustainability, ecology, green)
• Bioeconomy
• Industrial ecology
• Industrial symbiosis
• Post-anthropocentric theories
• Systemic vision

Legislation:

• Italian and European legislation related to sustainability and eco-design

Approaches and Strategies:

• Circular Design
• Ecodesign strategies
• Design for the cycle of life
• The 9R framework
• Design for behavioral change
• Design for attachment
• Biodesign
• Biophilic design
• Design inspired by nature
• Regenerative Design

LCA:

• Fundamentals of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
• Tools and software for LCA

Circular Economy:

• Business models related to economic and market aspects of the circular economy

Materials for the Transition:

• Biofabricated materials
• Biobased materials
• Materials derived from waste

Communication:

• Greenwashing
• The identity of sustainability

Curricular Internship or Professionalizing Project:

• 500 hours of practical experience in companies, public bodies, professional studios, consultancy companies, etc.

Other:

• The course includes lessons, testimonials, stories of case studies, company visits, and targeted design exercises.
• The program is designed for people with a professional background in product design and related sectors.
• The program aims to complete the training of experts capable of using tools to orientate the design pathway towards the development of products with a low impact on the environment.
• The program emphasizes the importance of understanding the dynamics of a modern model of relations between design, sustainability, and production systems.