This project develops a manuscript for later book publishing, framing the contemporary state of product design in relation to the environmental crisis.
Research project (2026) with Maxwell Ashford, Nicolas Bernklau, Paula Mühlena, Christophe Guberan
The most significant challenge of our time is the environmental breakdown; it is fundamental that humanity optimises its practices for the sake of all life on Earth.1 Since the 1970’s resource consumption and pollution have been at detrimental thresholds.2 As the global population expands further and consumption accelerates, product design is an ever more critical sector to address, as underscored by the multitude of governmental initiatives, including the EU Circular Economy Action Plan3 and Sustainable Development Goals.
Now in 2026, just past the quarter mark of what is the most crucial century for living conditions, planetary health is in its most critical state in recorded history.3 Numerous, predominantly theoretical, methods for addressing environmental impact in design exist; however, what remains significantly complex for designers is navigating what constitutes genuine impact, what is most relevant, and how such methods can be both feasibly and viably applied to address global issues at scale today. In summary, this raises the question of the current state and application of contemporary design.
The project aims to clearly articulate practical design pathways for effectively addressing global environmental challenges.
Refs:
1 United Nations, n.d.; World Health Organization, 2021.
2 Global Footprint Network, n.d.
3 United Nations Environment Programme, 2025.
Maxwell Ashford
Nicolas Bernklau
Chrystel Dayer
Simon Descarpentries
Christophe Guberan
Alexandre Guillon
Paula Mühlena
01.09.2026 – 29.02.2028
HES-SO, Réseau de Compétences Design et Arts Visuels RCDAV
