Category: Design for Sustainability

This is the first of a series of studio courses,that allow students on the MA and MFA Design for,Climate Action programs to develop their skills,and knowledge in live design briefs with industry,and community partners. By their nature, these,courses include socio-economic and political,considerations. The studio courses are designed to,challenge students with projects of increasing,complexity and progressively strengthen the,students’ problem-solving skills. Students will,solve design problems requiring substantive,research, concept ideation and realization, and,implementation. ,In conjunction with the Zero-Waste Materials and,Processes course, Climate Action Studio I uses,creative practice to focus on life-cycle analysis:,manufacturing cycles, materials cycles, and,distributions systems.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

This course introduces scientific theories,,methodologies, and findings used to explain,anthropogenic climate change. It provides,designers and those from other disciplines with a,clear understanding of processes, terminology,,data and statistics that can reliably inform and,support problem solving and systems intervention,with multidisciplinary perspectives; it enables,credible and transparent shaping of strategic,narratives and communication.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

This course introduces students to the selection,and specification of appropriate materials,,processes and systems for carbon neutral,,non-polluting design. Students explore low-energy,and renewable materials, closed-loop manufacturing,and construction, industrial symbiosis, and,perpetual material cycles for circular economies. ,Students learn about the development and selection,of non-harmful materials and processes, localized,logistics, design for disassembly, longevity and,ethics. The course also covers regulatory factors,relating to safety standards, materials recovery,and reuse, pollution and emissions.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

In this course, students will learn techniques for,effective listening, persuasion and negotiation in,the climate crisis. They will learn to form,rational and ethical arguments and debates that,advance positive action informed by verifiable,data.,,The climate crisis is culturally and politically,complex, and often polarized. Communication,narratives require rational, measured and skillful,delivery. In this course, with reference to the,work of others, students will learn how to create,accurate and well-judged communication, PR, and,persuasion strategies in the climate crisis, using,text and audio-visual formats through a range of,media channels (social and commercial).

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: