Infusing Sustainability

A Compass-Led Intervention in Chilean Graduate Design Education

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7577/formakademisk.5525

Keywords:

Design for sustainability, interdisciplinary design, The Compass method, Design to Improve Life

Abstract

Design for Sustainability has evolved rapidly over the last decades as a response to unprecedented global challenges. Several models have been developed to address the need to design more sustainable products, services, and policies. These strategies are oriented towards more sustainable ways of living. The Compass, developed by the Index Project in Denmark, is a method that offers a framework to structure the design process while considering social, environmental, and economic sustainability aspects. This article presents an exploratory case study to infuse sustainability in design education using this method in interdisciplinary teams. The context is a master’s degree offered by a design school in a Chilean university. The study's outcomes reveal that The Compass method is a dynamic and flexible structure for design in interdisciplinary teams. To strengthen its applicability, it could incorporate links to sustainability methods from various areas of knowledge that specifically address economic, environmental, or social aspects. Complementing The Compass with these sustainable approaches to confront the complexity of the challenges may facilitate the move from good ideas to feasible, sustainable design solutions in design and other fields.

Author Biographies

Catalina Cortes, Universidad del Desarrollo

Assisstant Professor

Oscar Huerta, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Associate Professor (PhD)
School of Design and UC Energy Research Centre
National Excellence Centre for the Wood Industry

 

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Published

2024-06-17

How to Cite

Cortes, C., & Huerta , O. (2024). Infusing Sustainability: A Compass-Led Intervention in Chilean Graduate Design Education. FormAkademisk, 16(5). https://doi.org/10.7577/formakademisk.5525

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