Designers designing business and contributing to sustainability
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Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
School of Arts, Design and Architecture |
Master's thesis
Location:
P1 OPINNÄYTTEET D 2018 Gaglione
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Authors
Date
2018
Department
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
International Design Business Management
Language
en
Pages
205+17
Series
Abstract
During its history, design never ceased to evolve, adapting its scope to the changing needs of society. It first dealt with products and visuals, together with spaces and garments. Then it started to create services, systems, strategies and, today, designers also design businesses. Many designers are in fact deciding to become entrepreneurs, employing their design skills to build companies. At the same time, disciplines like strategic design and business design are involving designers in the creation and development of whole enterprises. In this context, designers have the possibility to make a greater impact on society and the environment, participating more effectively in sustainability transitions. This thesis investigates how designers design businesses and, when creating enterprises, how they contribute to sustainability. Part of the knowledge in this work was produced through practice-based research. The research questions were in fact answered through the experience of designing a business for a Colombian graphic designer and illustrator who wanted to become entrepreneur. The study starts with a literature review on the relationship between design, business and systemic transitions, and then continues with an explanation of the research and design methods employed in the project. The same methods were used both to develop the business concept for the client and to answer the research questions. After a detailed description of the concept, the study proceeds presenting the main research findings and ends with the conclusions. By integrating findings from literature review, interviews, observations and case study, this thesis shows how designers have a distinctive way to create and conduct businesses, combining methods and approaches typical of their profession. Additionally, the study explains that - when designing businesses - designers can find solutions to environmental and social problems, they can make sustainable lifestyle attractive and accessible and they can spread new ways to make business.Description
Supervisor
McGrory, PeterThesis advisor
Gaziulusoy, İdilKeywords
strategic design, business design, sustainability transitions, sustainable entrepreneurship