Proposed Extended Design Process for Sustainable Development and Innovation

Abstract

The perspective that innovation plays a crucial role in promoting sustainability is generally acknowledged by researchers, professionals in many industries, and government officials. The urgency of addressing sustainable development necessitates prompt action and comprehensive adjustments from governments, industries, and society. The field of design has seen significant transformations throughout the last five decades. In response to the multifaceted challenges of contemporary times, there has been a partial expansion of limits. Various areas, such as social design, inclusive design, codesign, and sustainable design, have evolved as a direct reaction to the shortcomings of the existing consumption and production system. Within this framework, the design of artifacts has been influenced by social, environmental, and cultural trends. However, it is noteworthy that the actual design process has undergone little alterations. In contemporary design processes, there is an increasing recognition of the importance of incorporating criteria beyond economic considerations, particularly when pursuing social and environmental objectives. However, it is noteworthy that the process employed to achieve these objectives remains consistent with the stages and logic traditionally employed in approaches driven solely by economic goals. In this paper, we provide a novel approach to the design process, which encompasses the accountability for the outcomes generated by the artifacts developed, extending beyond the mere supply of solutions.