Is the industrial designer's changing role improving their opportunities for responsible design practices?
Vicky Lofthouse
Norman Stevenson
2134/13157
https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/conference_contribution/Is_the_industrial_designer_s_changing_role_improving_their_opportunities_for_responsible_design_practices_/9339767
Past research has indicated that if designers could gain involvement at a strategic level,
they would have greater potential to have a positive impact on the sustainability agenda. In recent
years, changes to the way that consultant designers are interacting with their clients, means that a
contribution to strategic decision making is now a possibility for many established consultancies.
This paper reflects on whether these changes in the industrial designer’s role are improving their
opportunities to incorporate practices such as ecodesign, sustainable design and universal design
into their work. Founded on empirical research collected from consultancies in the UK and
Ireland, the paper reflects on the nature of the opportunity that this shift in role has provided, and
whether it is the opportunity that was anticipated. It concludes that despite increased influences in
strategic decision making, the opportunities afforded industrial designers are less significant than
anticipated as ultimately there are still a range of factors which restrict them from becoming reality;
for example, client companies’ receptiveness to responsible issues, and the designer’s ability to
offer a persuasive case to decision makers.
2013-09-17 11:33:27
Sustainable design
Industrial design theory
Design Practice and Management not elsewhere classified