Preparing designers for a circular economy goldrush; exploring the implications for education

This paper explores the changing role of designers in a circular economy setting, focusing on the different skill sets needed for this role from educational and industrial perspectives. Relevant literature from the areas of Cradle-to-cradle, Biomimicry, Product Life Extension and Whole System Design are reviewed to begin to identify the requirements of design for a circular economy. Furthermore, implications for design teaching and the stage at which skills should be taught during a designer’s educational journey are explored. The analysis is based on early experiences of course and curriculum development from three pioneering universities, and an expert workshop held at the Re-thinking Progress Symposium organized by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.