The Circular Design Revolution

A MANIFESTO by Joris Verstrepen

 How can we adopt a new design strategy?

Introduction:

This manifesto serves as a personal reflection and a philosophical exploration of my design ideology. It's a collection of thoughts and reflections on the current state of the world and its implications for design. By examining the historical evolution of our economy and design practices, we can identify the obstacles we face and chart a path toward a more sustainable design paradigm.

Problems: the current linear model

Originating from the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century, our current linear economic model has brought wealth and prosperity to Western Culture. However, this prosperity has come at the cost of the exploitation of factory workers and the depletion of natural resources. The global pandemic in 2020 exposed the vulnerabilities of our hyper-globalized model and emphasized the need for a more locally focused approach.

To highlight the flaws within this linear economic model, I've broken it down into five steps: take, make, buy, use, and waste. The first two steps focus on production, while the latter stages involve the consumer.

Take: The Destructive Nature of Resource Extraction

Our linear design model begins and ends with environmental concerns. Our relentless consumption of finite resources through practices like mining, deforestation, drilling, and fracking has left devastating scars on the environment and local communities. The lack of attention to repair and replenishment exacerbates these problems.

Make: Globalisation and Poor Working Conditions

The globalization of production in the 20th century, driven by lower labor costs in countries like China and India, has led to sweatshops and poor working conditions for those producing consumer goods. This has widened the gap between the rich and the poor, and consumers often remain ignorant of the conditions under which their products are made.

Buy: Marketing and Perceived Obsolescence

Marketing strategies and ever-evolving trends incessantly encourage consumers to acquiring more products. Fast fashion and rapidly changing trends contribute to a culture of overconsumption. The result is a continuous cycle of discarding goods as new trends emerge.

Use: Short-Term Usage and Planned Obsolescence

Planned obsolescence, a strategy whereby products are intentionally designed to have a limited lifespan, drives consumers to replace goods more frequently. Products are made with materials that are difficult to repair or recycle, further contributing to waste.

Waste: Throwaway Culture and Environmental Impact

Our linear model culminates in the disposal of consumer goods, creating a throwaway culture. The rate at which we produce and consume has severe environmental consequences, as waste ends up in landfills and contaminates fragile ecosystems.

Solutions: Moving to a Circular Design Model

To address these issues, we must embrace a holistic, sustainable, and all-inclusive approach. I propose a five-step strategy based on the R-strategies of sustainability: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle.

Refuse: Assessing Necessity

Before creating or buying a product, we must question its necessity. The most ecological design is one that's not made at all. We should avoid creating products solely based on trends and consider alternative solutions.

Reduce: Prioritizing Quality Over Quantity

To minimize resource use, we should make fewer, but higher-quality products. On-demand production and made-to-measure options can reduce waste throughout a product's lifecycle.

Reuse: Embracing Existing Products

We should consider reusing existing products whenever possible. Designers should create products that are durable and not driven by trends, while consumers should actively seek out ways to reuse items.

Repurpose: Extending Material Lifecycles

After a product's lifecycle, materials and parts can be repurposed to reduce resource consumption. Designers should create products with modularity and repairability in mind.

Recycle: Properly Managing Waste

Effective waste disposal and recycling are non-negotiable. Educating consumers on proper waste sorting and using recyclable materials in production will significantly reduce landfill waste.

Personal vision: My Design Ideology

After six years in interior design, I've developed a personal design ideology that aligns with these principles. I believe in a slower, more honest and authentic approach to design that values meaningful, thought-provoking creations. To achieve this, I'm expanding my knowledge in various arts and crafts, striving for a more holistic approach. My design philosophy centers on four pillars: Nature, Imperfection, Craft, and Sensory experience.

Nature: Reconnecting with the World

In our technology-driven world, we've grown estranged from the natural world.. The industrial era sparked nostalgia for nature. We seek nature for its stress-relieving and mood-enhancing properties. Rekindling our bond with nature is central to my design philosophy, using materials that evoke our primal origins. Nature's elemental forces and the passage of time weather and shape materials. these materials embody both the transcendent beauty and the unfinished essence of our existence.

Imperfection: Embracing Life's Unpredictability

I embrace imperfection in my design. Flaws infuse interiors with a personal, human touch. Just as people age gracefully, everything around us evolves over time, revealing unique blemishes. Interiors and furniture are living entities,accumulating stories and distinctive character over time. Imperfections are not defects but integral elements infusing objects and spaces with romance and authenticity. They serve as reminders of the flawed and transient nature of our existence

Craft: A Personal Journey

A craft-centered approach pays hommage to preciously aged materials as traditional, hands-on craftsmanship embraces imperfections. . Deep study of the materials allows me to craft pieces that resonate with their stories, resulting in a more organic and authentic outcome.

Sensory: Adding Depth

Combining these pillars crafts poetic furniture with sensory depth. Touch, feel, and scent introduce layers to the experience. Contrasting hard and textured materials with soft ones creates captivating sensory encounters, fostering enduring connections between objects and users.

Conclusion: Shaping a Brighter Tomorrow

I firmly believe that a more sustainable approach to design is not only possible but necessary. By designing with empathy and distancing ourselves from egocentric, profit-driven practices we can cultivate more meaningful connections and create a better world for future generations. 

The time for change is now; otherwise, change will be forced upon us.