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The Use2Use Design Toolkit—Tools for User-Centred Circular Design

Author

Listed:
  • Oskar Rexfelt

    (Department of Industrial and Materials Science, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Gothenburg, Sweden)

  • Anneli Selvefors

    (Forming Futures, 41323 Gothenburg, Sweden)

Abstract

Recent research highlights that the important role users play in the transition to a circular economy is often overlooked. While the current narrative emphasises how to design products fit for circular (re-)production flows, or how to design circular business models, it often fails to address how such solutions can be designed to be attractive to people. As long as products and services are designed in a way that makes people prefer linear options over circular ones, the transition will not gain momentum. To further the understanding of how a user perspective can be valuable for circular design, this paper introduces the Use2Use Design Toolkit and presents initial experiences from using its five tools in design work. The tools were developed between 2016 and 2019 and subsequently applied in 30 workshops with professionals and students. Insights from the workshops suggest that the participants generally found the tools fun, instructive and inspirational. The tools enabled them to discuss circular processes from a user’s point of view and to identify challenges and design opportunities. The toolkit was considered especially relevant and meaningful by product and service designers who needed support to explore circular solutions from a user perspective.

Suggested Citation

  • Oskar Rexfelt & Anneli Selvefors, 2021. "The Use2Use Design Toolkit—Tools for User-Centred Circular Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-18, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:10:p:5397-:d:552846
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Juana Camacho-Otero & Casper Boks & Ida Nilstad Pettersen, 2018. "Consumption in the Circular Economy: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-25, August.
    2. Nancy Bocken & Lars Strupeit & Katherine Whalen & Julia Nußholz, 2019. "A Review and Evaluation of Circular Business Model Innovation Tools," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-25, April.
    3. Matt Sinclair & Leila Sheldrick & Mariale Moreno & Emma Dewberry, 2018. "Consumer Intervention Mapping—A Tool for Designing Future Product Strategies within Circular Product Service Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-21, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Elise Talgorn & Monique Hendriks & Luc Geurts & Conny Bakker, 2022. "A Storytelling Methodology to Facilitate User-Centered Co-Ideation between Scientists and Designers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-31, March.

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