Designing for a sustainable vision in the context of an online interior design start-up
No Thumbnail Available
URL
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
School of Arts, Design and Architecture |
Master's thesis
Location:
Authors
Date
2022
Department
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Master's Programme in International Design Business Management
Language
en
Pages
120+3
Series
Abstract
Sustainability has gained increasing attention within recent years and continues to gain attention as the risks of human-made environmental damages are becoming increasingly evident. Responding to this trend, the focus lies on people, companies and nations to help reduce the CO2 footprint of human activity. In this development, organisations play an essential role to support a sustainability transition. While many large organisations already incorporate sustainability strategies into operational and tactical activities, sustainability remains challenging in a start-up environment. This thesis explores the possibilities of addressing sustainability in the context of a start-up that provides online interior architecture services and the potential role that design can play in this process. The thesis is executed using a design lead approach as a single case study conducted in collaboration with the start-up. Design thinking was combined with service design to develop an exploratory design concept that follows a strategic design approach. The design process was executed using human-centred design methods and focused on meeting the user’s needs in the specific context of sustainability in the furniture industry an in online retail. The study draws on literature combining sources from corporate sustainability, circular economy, behaviour change, and design thinking. The combination of literature from these fields formed the basis for the design process of this thesis, the content of the exploratory approach, and explores the role of strategic design in supporting the implementation of increasingly sustainable approaches. It offers insights into the particular challenges of sustainability in a start-up context and the associated needs and requirements for implementing a sustainable online interior design service from a user perspective. The role of design within the design project was explored using a practice-based approach. The conceptual findings from the user research provide insight into how sustainability can be considered holistically in the context of the design case. The paradox between prevailing business logic and sustainable business practices is addressed by the design of a hybrid approach to sustainability that provides flexibility to offer different options for sustainable consumption. In addition, the value of incorporating design thinking into the start-up process in the context of sustainability was highlighted through reflection on the design process and analysis of the process itself. The work results demonstrate the potential for leveraging behavior change in the context of the design project through the lens of the applied research project. Key findings were the necessity for implementing social and environmental benefits centrally into the business activity and the strategic and tactical activities of the start-up when striving for sustainability. Another finding was that the start-up could positively influence the behaviour of users by using behaviour change methods and designing a holistic service that considers all stages of the product lifecycle. Furthermore, by following a consistent sustainability approach, it was found that the customers trust could be supported. It was found that the design thinking process can foster a deeper understanding of users’ needs and can contribute to the development of a sustainable strategy by visualising challenges and possibilities and generating learnings for the start-up.Description
Supervisor
Hilden, ElinaThesis advisor
Varjus, Anna-KaisaKeywords
strategic design, design for sustainability, design thinking, start-up, behaviour change, service design, human-centred design