Among the many resources available for new and innovative product design are ecological & environmental design resources. These resources provide information, guidelines, and examples of how to incorporate the environment into your design process.
Ecological design refers to any design process that integrates the designed object or product into the natural environment. The goal of the process is to reduce or eliminate negative impacts on the environment, including waste. Ecological design also integrates products into a life cycle, ensuring zero waste in the entire process. Ecological design is also used in energy efficiency systems. ecodesign
Ecological design is an extension of sustainable design principles, introducing intentionality and purposefulness into the design process. It also introduces a sense of social activism into the process.
The concept of ecological design first emerged in the late 1960s, during a period of increased interest in environmentalism. It was first used by John Button in 1998, and later grew to include industrial ecology and life cycle modeling techniques. It connects disparate environmental efforts and emphasizes the need to understand the impacts of products throughout their life cycle.
Ecological design is a form of design intelligence that can lead to healthy, sustainable communities. Design is an inherently circular process, and its effects are often embedded into products by designers. A sustainable design strategy includes understanding the impacts of your design choices and regenerative design strategies. This includes life cycle inventories and take-back programs. In order to make your product cradle to cradle, you need to account for all materials and consumables in your product.
Among the first ecological designers were Sim van der Ryn and Stewart Cowan. These two pioneers made the case for seamless integration of human activities with natural processes. Sim van der Ryn also argued for minimal environmental impact and pointed out the inherent flaws of industrial production methods.
Ecological design also includes green roofs, natural gardens, and biodegradable furniture. It also involves urban ecological design, which integrates ecological processes into urban landscapes. This includes improving urban resilience. A common tool used in this process is Geographic Information Systems, which are also used in ecological landscape design.
A comprehensive “how to” guide on the subject is available in Design for Sustainability: A Step-by-Step Approach. This latest publication in the D4S series provides new and experienced designers with a global guide to designing for sustainability. It offers three different design approaches, each with a comprehensive “how to” guide for first-time users.
Several organizations are now involved in advancing the field of ecological design. These include the Ecosa Institute, which offers an Ecological Design Certificate. It also administers the Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Standard, which provides criteria for continually improving products. The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute is a non-profit organization that educates manufacturers on how to become a positive force in society.
Ecological & environmental design resources are available to design professionals, educators, manufacturers, and students to help them make smart design decisions. These resources include online materials and a print version of the guide.
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