Strategic Shifts
From Stigma to Solution: Plastic as an Ecodesign Ally View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Ana Barroso
In a scenario where plastic is often stigmatized as a particularly environmentally unfriendly material, a noticeable shift towards substituting it with paper, composites or other materials is emerging. However, these shifts frequently transpire without thorough evaluation, leading to the creation of new products that, rather than benefiting the environment, might compromise it. This paper underscores the critical necessity for in-depth analysis, emphasizing the pivotal role of Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) in making environmentally conscious decisions. Moreover, we highlight the urgent need to educate the next generation of designers, empowering them to make genuinely sustainable choices. The focus is on the significance of robust data that substantiates decisions, transcending public perceptions and steering clear of "greenwashing" practices. Lastly, we explore ecodesign principles that encourage careful use of plastic, making the most of its various benefits while reducing its impact on the environment. This comprehensive approach aims to lead the industry toward practices that are both more sustainable and informed.
Designing in the Digitally Mature Museum: Refocusing Design from Technology to Human Practice View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Marco Mason
How museums see digital has changed and, as a result, museum design practices have changed. Digital transformation asks museum to deal with more complex, entangled problems acknowledging digital, physical, organisational dimensions as well as the strategic objectives. Human-centred design (design thinking) is a powerful practice to respond effectively to changing realities. It is not just the fashion for organisations but it has become a crucial way of thinking and a skill within the organizational working culture of museums nowadays. This paper considers the role of human-centred design practice and mindsets WITHIN museums to foster innovative practices for digital transformation. We share theoretical insight and best-practices emerged from two, mutually informed projects. A book for a Routledge titled "Museum and Design Practices: A New Critical Conversation" (part of the book series "Critical Digital", edited by Professors Vince Dziekan and Ross Parry) and major AHRC-funded project (£250k) title "Designing in the Digitally Mature Museum: Refocusing Design From Technology To Human Practice." Drawing from real-world museum practice (15 case studies in the UK), my research aims to advance our understanding of human-centred design practices, mindsets, and organisational design culture within museums that are moving toward a digitally mature condition. Human- Centered Design promotes a creative and explorative culture and collaborative working practices. This is changing internal working practices and design activity, where knowledge is created and shared in new ways amongst designers and non-designers, in which new tools are introduced, and workplaces re-configured.
Featured Strategic Design and Transformation towards Sustainability: Analysis of Strategic Design Methodologies with a Focus on Sustainability, for the Development of a Model Adapted to the Reality of Organizations and Communities View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Pedro Sáez Martínez, Jimena González Del Río, Begoña Sáiz
In the current context of ecological and social crisis, work is being carried out under the brand of Monnou, which applies strategic design focusing on transformation towards sustainability with organizations and communities. The various organizations include, among others, technological institutes, public entities, associations, companies and enterprises. The communities include people involved in some way in the learning and implementation of sustainability, including university students, people with entrepreneurial ideas, or design professionals. In response to this context, a variety of strategic design models and methodologies have emerged and continue to emerge (Abratt, R. & Kleyn, N. 2023; Andersen et al. 2023; Lutz, 2022; Baldasarre et al., 2020; Calabretta et al., 2016; Fabrizio, 2014). On the other hand, during Monnou's work, a methodology of its own is being developed and implemented. However, despite the emergence of new models and methodologies focused on sustainability, and the practical work described, some barriers to real transformation towards sustainability are identified (Godelnik, 2021). The central issue of this research is the analysis of existing models and methodologies, including the emerging Monnou methodology, developing a synthesis of their strengths and limitations. This research serves to develop a first model that leverages these strengths and overcomes the limitations. Designers, consultants, design educators, as well as people in leadership and management positions in organizations, will have knowledge and tools available to make their work a transformational activity towards sustainability.
