Certificate in Design for Sustainability and Circular Economies

Level 9* Special Purpose CPD Award – Accredited by TUS (10 ECTS)  Delivered by Limerick School of Art & Design at TUS (Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest) in partnership with Design Skillnet.

The Design for Sustainability and Circular Economies Certificate will facilitate and support design professionals in their practice-based enquiry into Design for sustainability.

The continued professional development course structure will increase awareness and shine a light on opportunities and challenges facing design practices by critically evaluating the current cultural, social, economic and ecological landscapes and interrogating their existing models and approaches to design for sustainability and circular economies.

Suited to practitioners from all design disciplines, it will invite designers to identify opportunities to adapt with agility, to re-shape and remodel existing approaches within their own design practice and wider design communities and build on valuable and existing skillsets through the adoption of regenerative, circular and sustainable practices to address global challenges at their roots, enact meaningful change, make a real impact now and future-proof their design processes.

Guided by expert specialists, this course will equip participants with the tools to actively query existing modes of design for sustainability, deepen their understanding of Life Cycle Thinking, Circular Economy Principles and Regenerative Design Practices, gather industry insights, generate dynamic discussion with both peers and subject matter experts, co-design for best practice and propose new ways of shaping our design futures.

The course will cover*:

• Introduction to Sustainable Development, case studies, approaches & philosophies.
• Project Scoping
• Practical DfS strategies for designers
• Social and environmental legislative concerns for designers
• LCA (Product Life Cycle Analysis), LCA tools, IT(Information Technology) packages, simplified applied LCA
• Circular Economy Principles and application
• Social and corporate responsibility
• Packaging and waste considerations for designers
• Regenerative Design Practice
• Material Flow and Production
• Marketing ‘Sustainable Design’ and managing customer/user expectations
• Procurement and specification of materials and processes
• Sustainable Product Service Systems
• Project Presentations

*Subject to change

Eligibility Criteria

Honours (Level 8) Degree in a Design discipline or appropriate industry experience or prior learning (RPL – Recognition of Prior Learning).

Duration: 1 semester (12 contact** weeks) TBC

Hybrid Studio-Based learning:
Including Expert Lecturers, Workshops, Peer to Peer facilitated discussions, Self-directed Research, Individual Tutorials/Critique and Presentation

• 10 weeks of online studio (3 hours per week)
• 2 in-person sessions (2 x5 hour days)
• Independent Learning (125 hours expected)

**12 weeks of classes plus an independent learning window. The overall semester is 13 weeks.

• Number of Days/Evenings per week: 1 afternoon per week on Wednesdays
• Delivery Day/Evening: Afternoons
• Number of Hours per day/evening: 3

Application

IDI/Design Skillnet members application is now open on the TUS Course Page via the Apply Now Tab on the top left of the page.

Application deadline: Monday, January 27th, 2025

**Make sure to state Design Skillnet in your application to avail of the preferential rate. Not a member? Please contact info@designskillnet.ie for information regarding becoming a member.

Fees

Institute of Designers in Ireland, ICAD, 100 Archive, IAPI Members*** are eligible for a discounted fee of  €939.

Non-members: €1400.

Register your interest to enquire about your eligibility, fees and general inquiries or attend our next Info Session to find out more about the programme.

*Level 9 Certificate as per the NFQ (National Framework for Qualifications).

Find out more

Download the Design for Sustainability and Circular Economies Certificate (DfSCE) most frequently asked questions (FAQs) or request one of our information session recordings via info@designskillnet.ie.

Meet the alumni

Previous participants have worked in Graphic and Brand Design Studios/Agencies/In-house teams and companies such as ESB, Accenture; Design for Education and Tech, Interior Design, Fashion, Costumes, Textiles including Ireland’s Eye Knitwear, Medical Devices/Med Tech, eco-friendly graphic design studio & printers, Strategic Design – Culture and Approaches.

Read our Q&A with Design for Sustainability and Circular Economies Certificate (DfSCE) graduates Brian Byrne, graphic designer and owner of Lands Studio, Fiona O’Reilly, Founder of On the Dot, Stephen Ledwidge, Brand Strategist and Founder of Chart and Róisín Jordan Freelance Sustainability and Innovation Designer and member of Design Declares Ireland to find out more.