Sustainable product development and design
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Sustainable Retail Industry course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
Aesthetic Design refers to the visual aspects of a product that contribut… #
Related terms include Industrial design, Human factors, and Sensory experience. Aesthetic design is essential in creating products that are not only functional but also desirable and pleasing to the eye, which can contribute to a product's success in the market.
Bio #
Based Materials are derived from renewable resources such as plants, algae, or microorganisms, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional materials. Related terms include Biodegradable materials, Biomimicry, and Bioplastics. Bio-Based Materials have the potential to reduce the environmental impact of products by decreasing the dependence on non-renewable resources and minimizing waste.
Carbon Footprint refers to the amount of greenhouse gases, particu… #
Related terms include Life cycle assessment, Carbon offsetting, and Sustainability reporting. Understanding and reducing the carbon footprint of products is essential for mitigating climate change and promoting sustainable development.
Circular Economy is an economic model that seeks to reduce … #
Related terms include Sharing economy, Product as a service, and Closed-loop production. The circular economy approach challenges traditional linear models of production and consumption, encouraging companies to design products and services that are restorative and regenerative by design.
Computer #
Aided Design (CAD) is a software tool used to create and modify digital models of products, enabling designers to visualize and test their designs before prototyping. Related terms include Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), 3D printing, and Product lifecycle management. CAD software has revolutionized the design process, enabling designers to create complex shapes and forms with precision and accuracy.
Cradle to Cradle Design is a design approach that seeks to elim… #
Related terms include Sustainable design, Green design, and Regenerative design. Cradle to Cradle Design challenges traditional design approaches, encouraging designers to think about the entire lifecycle of a product, from production to end of life.
Design for Disassembly is a design approach that seeks to facil… #
Related terms include Design for recycling, Design for remmanufacturing, and Sustainable design. Design for Disassembly requires designers to think about the end of life of a product, designing products that are easy to disassemble and recycle.
Design Thinking is a problem #
solving approach that emphasizes empathy, creativity, and experimentation to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. Related terms include Human-centered design, Co-creation, and Participatory design. Design Thinking involves a deep understanding of users and their needs, encouraging designers to think outside the box and develop creative solutions to complex problems.
Ecodesign is a design approach that seeks to minimize the <… #
Related terms include Sustainable design, Green design, and Environmental design. Ecodesign requires designers to think about the entire lifecycle of a product, from production to end of life, and to develop strategies to reduce the environmental impact of products.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process used to identify</b… #
Related terms include Life cycle assessment, Carbon footprint, and Sustainability reporting. EIA involves a detailed analysis of the potential environmental impacts of a product or project, identifying opportunities to reduce those impacts and minimize harm to the environment.
Greenwashing is a practice where companies make false or <b… #
Related terms include Sustainability reporting, Environmental marketing, and Corporate social responsibility. Greenwashing can damage a company's reputation and trust with consumers and stakeholders, undermining efforts to promote sustainable development.
Human #
Centered Design is a design approach that emphasizes the needs and desires of users, developing products and services that are intuitive, usable, and desirable. Related terms include Design thinking, Co-creation, and Participatory design. Human-Centered Design involves a deep understanding of users and their needs, encouraging designers to think about the user experience and develop creative solutions to complex problems.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a method used to evaluate the en… #
Related terms include Carbon footprint, Environmental impact assessment, and Sustainability reporting. LCA provides a comprehensive understanding of the environmental impacts of a product or service, identifying opportunities to reduce those impacts and minimize harm to the environment.
Material Selection is the process of choosing the most appropri… #
Related terms include Sustainable materials, Green materials, and Environmental materials. Material Selection requires designers to think about the entire lifecycle of a product, from production to end of life, and to develop strategies to reduce the environmental impact of products.
Product Design is the process of creating and developing a… #
Related terms include Industrial design, Product development, and Design engineering. Product Design requires designers to think about the entire lifecycle of a product, from production to end of life, and to develop strategies to reduce the environmental impact of products.
Recycling is the process of collecting and processing mater… #
Related terms include Upcycling, Downcycling, and Waste reduction. Recycling helps to conserve natural resources, reduce waste, and mitigate the environmental impacts of production and consumption.
Remanufacturing is the process of restoring a product to its or… #
Related terms include Refurbishing, Reconditioning, and Repair. Remanufacturing helps to reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and mitigate the environmental impacts of production and consumption.
Sustainable Development is a concept that seeks to balance … #
Related terms include Environmental sustainability, Social sustainability, and Economic sustainability. Sustainable Development requires a long-term perspective, encouraging companies and individuals to think about the impact of their actions on future generations.
Sustainable Materials are materials that are sourced and used</… #
Related terms include Green materials, Environmental materials, and Recycled materials. Sustainable Materials can help to reduce the environmental impact of products, lowering the carbon footprint and minimizing waste.
Systems Thinking is a problem #
solving approach that considers the interrelationships between components of a system, recognizing that changes to one part of the system can have far-reaching consequences. Related terms include Holistic thinking, Integrated thinking, and Complex systems thinking. Systems Thinking requires a broad understanding of the system as a whole, encouraging designers to think about the interdependencies between components and the potential consequences of their actions.
Upcycling is the process of transforming materials or products<… #
Related terms include Recycling, Downcycling, and Waste reduction. Upcycling can help to conserve natural resources, reduce waste, and mitigate the environmental impacts of production and consumption.
User Experience (UX) Design is the process of creating and impr… #
Related terms include Human-centered design, Interaction design, and Interface design. UX Design requires a deep understanding of the user and their needs, encouraging designers to think about the user experience and develop creative solutions to complex problems.
Waste Reduction is the process of minimizing the amount of… #
Related terms include Recycling, Upcycling, and Remanufacturing. Waste Reduction can help to conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and mitigate the environmental impacts of production and consumption.