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| Résumé
> There is a huge scarcity of good, practical resources
for designers and students interested in minimizing the environmental
impacts of products. "Design + Environment" has been specifically
written to address this paucity. The book first provides background
information to help the reader understand how and why design for
environment (DfE) has become so critical to design, with reference
to some of the most influential writers, designers and companies
in the field. Next, "Design + Environment" provides a
step-by-step approach on how to approach DfE: to design a product
that meets requirements for quality, cost, manufacturability and
consumer appeal, while at the same time minimizing environmental
impacts. The first step in the process is to undertake an assessment
of environmental impacts, using life-cycle assessment (LCA) or one
of the many simpler tools available to help the designer. From then
on, DfE becomes an integral part of the normal design process, including
the development of concepts, design of prototypes, final design
and development of marketing strategies. Environmental assessment
tools and strategies to reduce environmental impacts, such as the
selection of appropriate materials, are then discussed. Next, some
of the links between environmental problems, such as global warming,
ozone depletion, water and air pollution and the everyday products
we consume are considered. In order to design products with minimal
environmental impact, we need to have a basic understanding of these
impacts and the interactions between them. The four subsequent chapters
provide more detailed strategies and case studies for particular
product groups: packaging, textiles, furniture, and electrical and
electronic products. Guidelines are provided for each of the critical
stages of a product's life, from the selection of raw materials
through to strategies for recovery and recycling. Finally, "Design
+ Environment" takes a look at some of the emerging trends
in DfE that are offering us the opportunity to make a more significant
reduction in environmental impacts. Both the development of more
sustainable materials and technologies and the growing interest
in leasing rather than selling products are examined. "Design
+ Environment" is organized as a workbook rather than an academic
text. It should be read once, and then used as a key reference source.
This clear and informative book should prove to be invaluable to
practising designers, to course directors and their students in
need of a core teaching and reference text and to all those interested
in learning about the tools and trends influencing green product
design. The authors have all been involved in an innovative demonstration
programme called "EcoReDesign", which was developed by
the Centre for Design at RMIT University with funding from the Australian
government. The Centre successfully collaborated with Australian
companies to improve the environmental performance of their products
by following DfE principles. |
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