SInnDesign – Sustainable Innovation Through Design

SInnDesign (Sustainable Innovation through Design) er et europæisk forsknings- og udviklingsprojekt, hvor det undersøges hvordan der kan skabes bæredygtig innovation gennem design.

Bæredygtighed er et koncept, som har stor bevågenhed hos specialister inden for byggeri og boligindretning i alle de deltagende lande, men i sektorerne for byggevarer, møbler og boligtekstiler mangler der viden og værktøjer til at støtte en systematisk integration af bæredygtigheds- og innovationsovervejelser i design management og produktudvikling. For at underbygge denne antagelse, starter projektet med at gennemføre en status analyse, der afdækker eksisterende viden og værktøjer samt virksomhedernes (efterspørgsel) og undervisningsinstitutionernes (udbydernes) behov.

Hovedformålet med SInnDesign er at udvikle læringsmoduler til undervisning, samt værktøjer til virksomheder, som systematisk integrerer bæredygtige overvejelser (miljømæssige, sociale og økonomiske) i designprocessen af møbler, boligtekstiler og byggevarer med henblik på at fremme innovative og konkurrencedygtige løsninger indenfor disse områder.

Baggrund

Bæredygtighed er et koncept, som har stor bevågenhed hos specialister inden for byggeri og boligindretning i alle de deltagende lande, men i sektorerne for byggevarer, møbler og boligtekstiler mangler der viden og værktøjer til at støtte en systematisk integration af bæredygtigheds- og innovationsovervejelser i design management og produktudvikling. For at underbygge denne antagelse, starter projektet med at gennemføre en status analyse, der afdækker eksisterende viden og værktøjer samt virksomhedernes (efterspørgsel) og undervisningsinstitutionernes (udbydernes) behov.

Formål

Hovedformålet med SInnDesign er at udvikle træningsmaterialer og værktøjer til støtte for systematisk integration af bæredygtighed (miljømæssig, social og økonomisk) i designprocesserne inden for møbler, boligtekstiler og byggevarer. Dette fremmer innovation og konkurrencedygtige løsninger inden for disse områder. SInnDesign forventes at bidrage til at styrke det europæiske innovationspotentiale og konkurrencedygtighed, og dermed udviklingen af en dynamisk, videnbaseret økonomi baseret på bæredygtig vækst med flere og bedre jobs samt større social sammenhængskraft.

• Status analyse, der afdækker eksisterende viden og værktøjer samt virksomhedernes (efterspørgsel) og undervisningsinstitutionernes (udbydernes) behov
• Udvikle SInnDesigns træningsmaterialer og værktøjer, som er projektets centrale elementer
• Pilottræningsforløb og demonstrationsworkshops med målgrupperne i de deltagende lande, så projektparterne får feedback på materialernes forståelighed og anvendelighed, og så kendskabet til materialerne når ud til en større målgruppe, som får lejlighed til at udveksle erfaringer med brugen af materialerne.

• Evaluering, harmonisering og redigering af SInnDesign træningsmaterialer og værktøjer

• Informationsspredning og styrkelse af videndelingsaktiviteter i de nationale netværk

Fremgangsmåden i dette projekt består af en række elementer:

For det første en analyse af status (for hvert land) med henblik på at vurdere sektorernes konkrete behov for viden om design for bæredygtighed og innovation.

For det andet udvikling af en strategi samt retningslinjer for, hvordan SInnDesign resultaterne kan integreres i de nationale VET systemer.

For det tredje udvikling af SInnDesign træningsmaterialer og værktøjer, som består af: moduler og værktøjer om design for bæredygtighed og innovation; ressourcecenter, katalog med eksempler på best practices relateret til produkter og virksomheder, samt manual for undervisere og trænere.

For det fjerde en pilotafprøvning af materialerne via træningssessioner og workshops.

Og for det femte en evaluering, tilpasning og redigering af materialerne.

• At bidrage til opkvalificering af VET studerende og professionelle på jobmarkedet inden for bæredygtighed og innovation i de tre involverede sektorer
• At støtte og fremme spredningen af viden og kompetencer vedrørende bæredygtigt design og innovation inden for trænings og uddannelsesinstitutioner via (i) integration af SInnDesign træningsmaterialer og værktøjer i eksisterende uddannelsesprogrammer på relevante uddannelser i det europæiske VET system i de deltagende lande, og (ii) udvikling af nye, harmoniserbare uddannelsesforløb
• At forsyne designere og andre professionelt involverede i produkt- og serviceudvikling i de tre nævnte sektorer med specialiserede færdigheder til at implementere bæredygtigt design og innovation i praksis
• At fremme integration af bæredygtigt design og innovation i virksomheder, der deltager i projektets pilottræningsforløb, demonstrationsworkshops eller andre videndelingsaktiviteter i de nationale netværk
• At bidrage til opbygning af viden om bæredygtig udvikling i de deltagende lande i forlængelse af FN’s tiår for uddannelse i bæredygtig udvikling.

• At opkvalificering inden for bæredygtighed og innovation i de tre involverede sektorer, vil støtte de europæiske strategier inden for bæredygtigt byggeri og bidrage til livslang læring
• At fremme konkurrencedygtigheden i de tre sektorer i Europa og dermed skabe værdi for virksomhederne
• At projektet vil styrke samarbejdet mellem VET systemet og arbejdsmarkedet for at imødegå de udfordringer, der er i en konkurrencepræget, global økonomi. Konsortiets beskaffenhed (et partnerskab bestående af akademiske miljøer, forsknings- og teknologiske centre, VET repræsentanter samt virksomheder og virksomhedsorganisationer) vil i samarbejde med de foreslåede nationale netværk sikre disse bestræbelser.

Projektet afrapporteres og evalueres efter EU’s krav – se mere herom under ‘evaluering’

• - Produktionsteknolog (erhvervsakademi) (120)
• - Designteknolog (erhvervsakademi) (1)
• - Jewellery, Technology and Business (Bachelor) (1)
• - Design, Technology and Business (AP Graduate) (1)

KEAs evaluering (på engelsk)

The students and teachers of KEA have tested the materials developed, both modules and tools, during all stages, from the initial drafts to the application of the materials. This in order to ensure that the developed materials are eligible and applicable for both understanding of contents and use in practice. The VET educations at KEA have a close link to practice, which is why it is important that the materials can be easily translated into practice.

Sustainability has been an important issue for Denmark for many years, and it is an integrated value of KEA. For this reason, KEA has a lot of knowledge about the materials already existing about the subject, plus our students have strong viewpoints about how they like the materials, and what they need. This knowledge and input have been a very important background information and contribution to the development of the materials, in order to ensure the usability of the developed materials.

Target groups and sectors

The target groups for SInnDesign are the educational arenas up to level 4-5. The materials can be used to run a course at educations where design is already a course, i.e. academies, as they can be supplement to the main course of design or textiles, or as single tools, principles or materials pull in to underline the a subject.

The impact is, that the students of CVET have materials, which enables them to work with sustainability in a more structured form. Until the SInnDesign materials, they materials were in a more fragmented form, but with the SInnDesign modules and tools, it is possible to have a more structured approach to sustainability, as the materials give the students both an overview of possible areas to cover in using SInnDesign, plus help in approaching the different or relevant area, that they wish to work with.

As the materials are very comprehensible and accessible, they could be used in highs schools as courses or project themes in the regular education. They could be presented at public schools where it could be a project theme or a single modules/tool could raise awareness on the subject of (design for) sustainability.

Another way to use SInnDesign could be as materials presented to companies wanting to upgrade their employees’ knowledge on the subject. It could also be a way to bridge students and companies when making internships – if the student has the knowledge presented on SinnDesign they have both a specific knowledge making them desirable and with the materials they will be able to present this knowledge meaningfully to the company in which they intern.

National impact

The national impact is two-fold; first of all we realized, that despite so much knowledge about the need for sustainability, the integration of sustainability in the VET system was not that profound. The new material, which is provided via SInnDesign will hopefully be useful in this context, especially as the demand from companies is rising.

National VET systems

In Denmark, the teachers have freedom in the use of both method and material, as long as they comply with the accredited frames and standards. For this reason the teachers have to be reached in order to present the material. As this is the case in Denmark, teaching methods are often connected with what seems meaningful to and in practice as well as what is recommended in learning circles.

It has therefore been important and possible to focus on communicating and getting the word out with regard to the possibilities of the SInnDesign materials. This is done through meetings between educators, network meetings between institutions and also in meetings with other interested parties such as companies or municipalities. When communicating the word on SInnDesign, it is important to be clear on what the materials have to offer to which target groups within a Danish context. We are of the perception that if SInnDesign is presented properly it will have the possibility to offer teachers/educators both a complete package on a subject, or an inspiration to tools, subject or principles.

Some of the arenas in which it could be relevant to introduce the complete SInnDesign material are summer schools, which is one area, which we at KEA are considering. The summer schools are often used as a supplement to other educations and can be for upgrading knowledge within fields otherwise explored through regular education or because of interest. Since SInnDesign is a complete material teachers at summer schools could make a meaningful course from the materials alone (or of course integrate it with courses on other subjects). If using SInnDesign as design for and context of a learning course a certificate could be given to the participants at the end of the course. This could show models/principles/tools studied and participated and herby underline the new skills acquired by the student. This would be both motivating for potential students as well as reinforcing the SInnDesigns values as a material uniqueness in its field, and a process that ends up in practical knowledge, skills and hopefully competences.

As the material is easily accessible and comprehensible and as it has a specific knowledge on the subject of sustainability within textiles, it has a potential large target group as it can be used by people who have little knowledge within the subjects of textiles or sustainability, but is also (through the separation of modules/tools/principles) possible to adapt into courses for users with knowledge within the fields. Another possibility is for teachers, companies or students to use the tools alone to facilitate a learning process. As a material SInnDesign is strong as it presents a meaningful package on a specific subject. As tools/principles/materials SInnDesign is usable beyond its own purpose as the materials can be used in facilitation of design or learning processes. This makes SInnDesign limitless in use if presented rightly to the right learning arenas.

The Danish government has established an innovation cluster relevant for the habitat sectors furniture and textiles, called ” Innonet Lifestyle – Interior & Clothing”. The cluster is under the Ministry of Higher Education and Science and the purpose is to create growth and innovation. During the project there has been close contact between the cluster and the Danish partners. The results of the project will presented and promoted to the partners and companies in the cluster.