Designing more responsible behaviours through Design Education: Reflections on a Brazilian pilot experience in Social Innovation for Sustainability

Abstract

Abstract:From the Design viewpoint, sustainable strategies must be integrated into a wide collaborative system that contemplates the environmental, socio-cultural, economic and technological dimensions as a whole. This paper presents a pilot experience in Design Education that discusses social innovation for sustainability in the city of Uberlandia/MG/Brazil. By involving a group of undergraduate design students of the Federal University and Second Hand Furniture Stores, the objectives of the trial were: (1) to find alternative solutions to social and environmental problems; (2) to connect theory and practice by generating a "home interiors prototype"; (3) to stimulate collaboration among the University, young designers and society and (4) to foster a virtuous cycle of actions. Despite the many positive aspects achieved, a continuous collective effort is crucial in order to include new partners, such as support institutions and local government as well as to gradually engage companies in trying new paths towards a more responsible behaviour.

In-store Customer perception and buying behavior towards home furniture- Development of Conceptual Model

“…Hence designing is a responsible behavior for home furniture as well as interior keeping all family members requirements in mind (Nunes, V. G. (2017). [110]), therefore family status and consumption, usage patterns need to be kept in mind (…”

Educação e Inovação Social: A Formação Recíproca

“…Nos novos currículos, estão previstos processos participativos e de responsabilidade social em uma aprendizagem exploratória (Nunes, 2017;Vodeb, 2015). Nessa lógica de funcionamento, existem os chamados laboratórios de aprendizagem e de inovação aberta -ambiente de aprendizagem em que os indivíduos pensam, discutem e aprendem juntos (Gómez Zermeño & Alemán de La Garza, 2020); os cursos abertos a distância (EAD), com fóruns interativos que formam discussões sobre o pensamento comunitário (Siddike & Kohda, 2016) -ressalvados os contextos de falta de acesso à internet por alguns estudantes (Reveley & Peters, 2016); as redes de inovação social e o design social, um modelo alternativo de Educação por meio de projeto para organizações profissionais (Easterday et al, 2018).…”

An analysis of the insertion of sustainability elements in undergraduate design courses offered by Brazilian higher education institutions: An exploratory study

“…Therefore, it can greatly contribute to sustainable development (Nunes, 2017;Zeiny, 2012). In this regard, HEIs that offer undergraduate design courses should structure their curricula around aspects of ethics and environmental, social and economic development (O'Flaherty and Liddy, 2018;Schneiderman and Freihoefer, 2012).…”