Sydney Design in Contecxt Question

Assessment Task 3-Design in Context: Ecology, Economics and Politics-2000 words project

In this task you will undertake a critical case study of two related products/services/product service

systems that purport to be sustainable in some way. Critically analyse your two selections. Are they

sustainable? Why? According to what criteria? Are the claims made by the

designer/manufacturer/producer honest or accurate or correct? Compare and contrast them – what does

their comparison reveal about their respective approaches to sustainable design? Are they an improvement

on what has come before? Are there better alternatives? What contexts are relevant to their sustainability:

ecology and/or economics and/or politics? Discuss and expand.

To undertake this case study you will make observations, and source information in order to evaluate the

ecological, economic and/or political dimensions of your two selections. You will then explore the potential

for improving the environmental impact of your selection, including a proposed strategic design

intervention that will likely result in less unsustain-able practices. To develop this potential what would you

do differently? You will also design a flowchart/diagram that illustrates your proposed strategic design

intervention. Both the design decisions developed in your essay and the position taken in your intervention

should reference theories and practices studied in the course.

Optional:

You may undertake your critical case study on graphic design, visual communication, illustration and

related fields if you like. Provided you discuss your intended approach with your tutor and they approve it.

Reason being is that some such design fields may prefer to use the assignment to better their

understanding of these fields, rather than the design of a product, service, or product service system.