Sustainable Design Seminar

Today I attended a lecture on design, sustainability and social enterprise. The speakers described how their company was set up in Cornwall and is committed to making and selling locally produced furniture products. I was impressed by the company's core philosophy of utilising local resources and social enterprise, which not only supports the local economy but also provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities, a socially responsible approach.


The speakers elaborated on how they address sustainability challenges in traditional manufacturing, in particular how they avoid the use of harmful materials such as polyurethane foam and explore the use of more environmentally friendly materials such as coconut fibre and natural latex. This thoughtful approach to materials and production processes demonstrates a challenge to traditional industrial methods and a commitment to creating eco-friendly furniture that is both beautiful and functional.


One thing that came up in the lecture that made me reflect was how we define 'progress' and 'development'. In the pursuit of rapid technological development and economic growth, we may have overlooked the potential environmental and social impacts of such growth. The speaker suggested that sometimes looking forward is not always the answer and that sometimes we need to look back and use existing, neglected or traditional methods and technologies to find new solutions.


This talk had direct inspiration for my design practice. As a designer, I often explore how to incorporate sustainability into my work, especially when choosing materials and fabrication techniques. The speaker's presentation on how to practically apply these principles made me think about how I could make better use of local and sustainable resources in my designs. As designers, we have a responsibility to not only create beautiful and functional products, but also to be mindful of the long-term environmental and social impacts of our work. This reflection will guide my future design practice and motivate me to constantly seek to balance aesthetics, functionality and sustainability in my innovations.