Product service systems

Abstract

The role and focus of the industrial designer has changed and broadened over time. A next design practice with growing attention from the design
community is the design of Product-Service Systems (PSS). Within this paper we will discuss what the motivations are for the different stakeholders to
move from Product Design to Product Service System Design, what makes designing a PSS different than designing a product, what the are the challenges for designers in developing PSSs and which role designers
can play in this complex innovation process. These topics will be discussed based upon the outcomes of a range of recent research projects related to PSS and the Design Profession, which have been carried by or in collaboration with our Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering. This in order to better understand better the role of Industrial Designers in the development of PSSs as well as how future designers can be better prepared and equipped for this role (i.e. by embedding PSS in Design Curricula).