THE IMPACT OF DESIGN

Since the industrial revolution, a career has been generated to offer goods and services and to

create needs to a consumer population, which has an only interest of producing profit without

taking into account the environmental consequences. Even though, some countries have evolved

in this aspect, Colombia is one of the countries that have not developed completely, which has

been one of the features that are seriously affecting and is one of the least considered. In effect,

that has led to question if the consequences of the modernity and the technological developments

commit a disgrace directly against the own existence of the life in the planet.

Indeed, How is mentioned in the text “Design for Environmental Sustainability” if a general

analysis of the development and technologies in the planet is done, it can be seen that the backbone

of the environmental impact is the use of fuels and different raw materials that are necessary to

performing any activity. For example, the designs and creations of products that are seeking

aesthetics, ergonomics, function and practicality. However, designers abandon in some occasions

fundamental facets of the future of our planet that day by day is more compromised, In the design,

manufacture and utilization of furniture; the designer structures an idea, then constructs the product

leaving out the environmental impact that is caused in all this process.

As a solution, designers in the preliminary stage should be obligated to analyzes the impact and

benefits in the environment. Such as, the origin of the raw material, the permissions issued by the

environmental authorities, if it is renewable, biodegradable, if the process has negative effects and

what will be the final disposition of the product once it finishes his useful life. Additionally, all of
the design process must be under supervision by governmental actions demanding that companies

have to be socially and environmentally responsible. Also demanding that companies takes actions

to minimize the impact of his productive and commercial activities. Such as environmental repair,

atmospheric emissions, the employment of materials that damage the environment without

exceptions. as a consequence, designers should offer as an additional asset the care and

conservation of the environment, which gives value to products.

A survey was conducted to designers and students of design and architecture, by means of survey

monkey, web page to make surveys online that facilitates the collection of information and

organizes the results in a quick and easy way. This survey had the purpose of investigating if they

took into account the environmental impact at the time of designing and how they considered this

within the design process, 5 multiple choice questions, organization of concepts and an open

question were made.

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3
Within the survey it was found that a large percentage of designers and architects take into account

the environmental impact at the time of design (figure 1) and the majority considers that this should

be mandatory (figure 2). Also, even though designer take into account this it its not the most

relevant concept during the process design is the third one.

In conclusion, the most appropriate solution for design at the time of less impact in general is the

previously proposed which would lead to make and use products and services with a minor

ecological footprint, which benefits the environment and other aspects in general in the process

and use of designs.

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Vezzoli, C. (2008). Design for Environmental Sustainability. Retrieved from https://link-

springer-com.ezproxy.uniandes.edu.co:8443/content/pdf/10.1007%2F978-1-84800-163-3.pdf

Design for Environmental Sustainability is a text that introduces different aspects that should be

considered in the design and elaboration of products from the conceptualization to its final disposal

as waste. Always from the perspective of sustainability and the control of the environmental impact

that the creations could negatively have, that is to say, taking care of the sustainability, the

protection of the environment and in general of the natural resources. The core of the text is the

eco-design or ecological matter in the design field in the creation and development of every

product. It will Help in my text to contextualize more deeply the topic.

2. K, S, A Ramani, Skerlos, Slocum. (2010). Sustainable Design? Journal of Mechanical

Design. Retrieved from

http://mechanicaldesign.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org.ezproxy.uniandes.edu.co:8080/article

.aspx?articleid=1450125

In the Journal of mechanical design article, it put forward the concern that the activities that are

developing today will have a positive or negative impact on future generations and that is why it

induces awareness and responsibility regarding the environmental impact of the designs and the

materials with which these will be developed. That, it does not affect the ecosystem in search of a

healthy environment that gives stability and sustainability to life on the planet today and in the

future. It will help to deepens into the possible solutions to develop.