Sustainability by Design: A Five-Year Cross-Curricular Programme for Design Students

Kamoun, Emna (2024) Sustainability by Design: A Five-Year Cross-Curricular Programme for Design Students. In: P/References of Design. Cumulus conference proceedings series, 1 . Cumulus Association, Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest, Budapest, pp. 1693-1708. ISBN 978-952-7549-02-5

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Abstract

The Anthropocene era, marked by unprecedented human impact on the Earth's processes, necessitates a paradigm shift in education, particularly in design disciplines. This article explores the transformation of a five-year design curriculum at a French industrial design school, introducing a proposal for a cross-curricular Sustainability by design programme. The central question addressed is how to make ecology an integral pillar, not merely an additional dimension, in the design process. The article outlines the conceptual framework for this shift, emphasising the need for a planet-oriented design that considers Earth as a complex system intertwined with human history and culture. Divided into two sections, the first contextualises the necessity of changing cosmology for education, while the second provides a concrete proposal for the program, addressing challenges in content, methodology, and ethics. This article serves as a case study, aiming to be transposable to other design schools and highlighting the essential skills and knowledge required for designers to embrace a planet-oriented design approach.

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