Sustainability at Beckmans College of Design

Sustainability issues inform all our study programmes.

A designer is always working for the future. Sometimes this means the immediate future - for instance a garment that will be in the shops in a few weeks or an advertising campaign for next autumn; and sometimes the perspective is slightly longer - a piece of furniture that becomes a design classic, or a building that should last for at least half a century. It is crucial, therefore, that the designer relates to the future and is able to envision what needs may arise round the corner.

But design does not only correspond to current and future needs; as designers we shape future behaviour, attitudes and actions through the ideas and products we contribute to promoting. In this sense, we have an enormous potential influence, and thus also an enormous responsibility. What we produce must be sustainable: for the people and the planet, today and in the future.

Often, design-intensive industries, and especially fashion, are seen as being incompatible with sustainability. At the Beckmans College of Design, however, we are thoroughly convinced that design is crucial, and a necessary resource in creating a sustainable society. But this requires courage, creativity and patience - from designers and, consequently, from us as teachers. We are just at the start of an enormous process, and we learn together with our students and the world around us.

In practice, we work with sustainability in many different ways, and in line with our educational goals. Students encounter sustainability issues in various projects in collaboration with selected organisations and businesses. The principles of designing for sustainability are integrated with methods and processes for design and communication. In the contextual studies (history, theory and context) students are trained in critical thinking and are oriented in contemporary society. Sustainability is one of the assessment criteria in all courses, to promote continuous reflection. A large network of organisations and individuals with varying perspectives on sustainability and design is also being developed.

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