DESIGN IMPACT

Abstract: The textile product industry has many challenges and all designers creating products using textiles will have an impact on the environmental sustainability in the world. The project investigates state of the art textile product design today, the challenges of environmental sustainability in the future and how the designer plays a role in making a positive difference. Qualitative research was done through interviews, in situ meetings with users and study visits. To present the research result in a tangible way, a textile product (a hiking backpack) was made. There is a consensus among the users and the industry that we need to strive to consume products in a more sustainable way, but also a common feeling of not knowing where to begin to unravel the issues of environmental sustainability. This feeling comes from the issue being a wicked problem and it is therefore impossible to solve by looking at it from only one viewpoint. The backpack that was made in the project gives a few ideas to how a designer can make a difference in their part of the development process. The topic was wide and therefore this report only scratches on the surface of what could be investigated and discussed to add to the greater knowledge in the world. If there was more time and resources in this project a good continuation could be to visit countries that manufacture textile products and get deeper knowledge into the issues.. Also, continuing to understand the user - the consumer, as I see that a big part of making sustainable products is connected to the usage and re-usage of each product.