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The role of product designers in the transition towards the circular economy

A reality check

Conference Paper (2017)
Author(s)

Deborah Sumter (TU Delft - Circular Product Design)

C. A. Bakker (TU Delft - Circular Product Design)

A.R. Balkenende (TU Delft - Circular Product Design)

Research Group
Circular Product Design
Copyright
© 2017 Deborah Sumter, C.A. Bakker, R. Balkenende
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.3233/978-1-61499-820-4-391
More Info
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Publication Year
2017
Language
English
Copyright
© 2017 Deborah Sumter, C.A. Bakker, R. Balkenende
Related content
Research Group
Circular Product Design
Pages (from-to)
391-396
ISBN (print)
978-1-61499-819-8
ISBN (electronic)
978-1-61499-820-4
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Abstract

This paper examines the role of product designers in the transition towards the circular economy. Both scientific and grey literature show remarkable optimism when it comes to role strategic and coordinating role designers could play in this transition process. However, there has been little examination of the actual role and influence designers have in practice. In this paper we review the roles that designers play in the transition towards a circular economy according to literature. Through semi-structured interviews, we uncover the views of designers themselves, which we then use to make a comparison. Our main conclusion is that designers experience a lack of knowledge and/or work in predetermined solution spaces, which prevents them from taking on the role that is expected in literature.