Course detail
Sustainable Design
FSI-YSD-A Acad. year: 2025/2026 Winter semester
Students will gain an overview of theories related to sustainable design, such as slow design, cradle-to-cradle, eco-friendly design, motivation and manipulation of people through design, etc. They will learn to think about projects in terms of ethics, ecology and sustainability and apply this theoretical knowledge to practical tasks in product design.
Emphasis is placed on active student participation in the classroom, a responsible approach to work, and the ability to apply the acquired knowledge in practical tasks.
The course complements other ID courses and expands students' ability to approach design problems.
Language of instruction
English
Number of ECTS credits
4
Supervisor
Department
Entry knowledge
Participation in the course requires a willingness to work on more demanding design tasks, which should be acquired through previous study, and the ability to analyze and discuss theoretical foundations and apply this knowledge to practical tasks. Knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of spatial design, artistic composition and implementation of three-dimensional models is essential. The student must be able to draw and model.
Rules for evaluation and completion of the course
Conditions for the granting of credit and the successful passing of the exam: active attendance in class, submission of the assigned work within the set deadlines. Oral defense of the completed assignment and discussion of theoretical foundations. For each assignment, the design, active approach and processing from the point of view of sustainable design and the level of presentation will be evaluated separately.
The final evaluation consists of the evaluation of projects and activities in class. A total of 100 points can be achieved. The resulting classification is determined according to the ECTS scale.
Attendance at seminars and lectures is compulsory. Classes are held according to a weekly schedule. Methods of making up missed classes are the responsibility of the course instructor.
Aims
Students will be able to solve design problems and projects with respect to the philosophy of sustainable design and gain an overview of movements and theories in the field.
- be able to correctly identify and define a design problem
- Be able to comprehensively analyze aspects that influence the final solution of the problem
- The ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practice
- Ability to discuss design from an interdisciplinary perspective
- Ability to successfully present the design solution
The study programmes with the given course
Programme N-PDS-P: Industrial Design, Master's, compulsory
Type of course unit
Lecture
12 hours, optionally
Syllabus
– Sustainability as a concept. Basic overview of the historical development of the view on sustainability.
- Green and eco friendly design, greenwashing. Biomimicry.
- Droog design, cradle-to-cradle principle, design for sustainable behavior, product-service innovation level, sociotechnical design.
- Design for social innovation. Motivation and manipulation of a person through design. Emotions in design. Slow design.
Studio work
44 hours, compulsory
Syllabus
- Presentation and analysis (deconstruction) of specific design solutions and projects with regard to sustainable design.
- Presentation and analysis (deconstruction) of specific design solutions and projects with regard to sustainable design.
- Analysis, evaluation and reconstruction of own previously processed topics from the point of view of sustainable design.
- Topic analysis according to the principle of Vision in design – topic deconstruction – product level.
- Topic analysis according to the principle of Vision in design – topic deconstruction – interaction level.
- Topic analysis according to the principle of Vision in design – topic deconstruction – context level.
- Preparation for the solution – context, statement.
- Work on the project solution – human-product interaction.
- Work on the project solution – product qualities, concept.
- Work on the project solution – detailing.
- Project presentation and evaluation.