Three categories of design actions to reuse materials and waste: opportunities for designers at University of Minho

Abstract

In this article we present some examples retrieved from Product Design degree at University of Minho (UM) that illustrate a concern with sustainability for the reuse of materials and waste. To organize those examples we propose three categories: (Eco) Design-Show–actions, performances and products aimed at sensitizing students and the community, Re-new (Design) - mostly handcrafted products for restrict-ed markets, reusing materials or parts of other products; and (New) Design - product design made with new, experimental materials, obtained from wastes. In addition to reflect upon pedagogical inputs of this theme, it is intended to discuss the relevance of designers' skills to promote innovation, complementing other local research areas. This paper is a personal reflection on how this may reinforce the potential and opportunistic decision of creating Product Design degree in this industrial northern region, and aims to be a humble contribute to its history.