Product Design through a Systemic Lens of Ecological Economics

Products, tangible artefacts created through a process and intended for delivery to an end-user (Boundless, 2017), have been a primary method in addressing the needs and wants of people, making product designers a crucial link in envisioning and creating better futures. With increased uncertainty due to unsustainable production and consumption as well as questions of social equity, I have wondered if product designers can be instrumental in tackling these complex issues.

In this paper, I look at the role of product design as an integral part of our lives and society, and how, since the domination of capitalism, the role and goals of design have changed due to the dominant reductive economic model it presents. I also explore various problem solution methodologies commonly used within the product design process to highlight strengths and deficiencies, and develop mental models that allow for "useful" visualizations. I believe this approach will lead to greater understandings on how externalities, material and energy throughput, socio-economic and ethical concerns can be included in future methodologies.

I conclude by presenting an initial concept for a nested, hierarchical, complex adaptive system for the product development process that is comprised of a cycle encompassing both business and product design.