DESIGNING FOR THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

WORKSHOP SERIES: DESIGN THINKING FOR A CIRCULAR ECONOMY 

Understanding design, design thinking and systems thinking is integral for putting circular economy principles into practice. Thinking and mapping at a systems level allow us to see the various elements at play around a product or service. Design thinking then helps us to generate new ways of doing things that are more sustainable. This series of three workshops will give you a sound understanding of how to approach designing for the Circular Economy, introduce you to various tools and techniques to help you put it into practice, and offer guided practical application of some techniques.

WORKSHOP1: DESIGNING FOR THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Designing for the circular economy involves changing how we do things, and therefore involves changing our approaches, understanding and ways of thinking too. This workshop introduces you to the concepts of design, design thinking and systems thinking, and how they apply to the circular economy.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND 

• Businesses and industry professionals who want to learn about how to use design and design thinking in their work
• Councils, government, industry professionals who want to learn about and see the power of design and design thinking in their work and projects
• Individuals who have a CE idea or project that they are trying to get off the ground or need help developing
• Anyone looking to learn more about how to apply design and design thinking to circular economy projects

Due to the limited availability of seats, early registration is strongly recommended

Facilitator: Harriet Watts

Harriet is a designer and academic with experience working across object, textile and exhibition design, concept design and creative thinking. Her practice frequently engages with sustainable design theory and wider ecological thought, including ideas around materials value, use-life, ephemerality and change. Her work often explores less material intense ways of living. An example of recent video work Fibrous Forms can be viewed on her website. 

As a Sessional Academic at UNSW School of Art & Design Harriet has worked as a tutor, lecturer, facilitator, research assistant, and written and developed course material. 

Working and teaching in the areas of design (including concept design, design process, and making processes), sustainable design, and using research and design processes to approach real-world problems, her teaching spans the Bachelor of Design, Masters of Coursework and Masters of Visualisation, Simulation and Immersive Design at UNSW Art & Design, Sydney. In 2020 Harriet co-wrote master’s course ‘Immersive Design, Complexity and Wicked Problems’ teaching how to apply design mindsets and methodologies to complex, wicked and real-world problems, which she is currently delivering. She also currently teaches ‘Imperatives for a Sustainable Future’, a course focused on sustainable design theory and practices. 

In addition, Harriet has been a guest speaker and panellist for various industry engagements and events including at the Fashion Circular Economy Hackathon at MCIC, UNSW Sydney, Ideas Intersecting – Innovation in Design at UNSW Art & Design and the Australian Design Centre.