Designing for Degrowth

CONTEXT

The concept of degrowth dates back to the 1970s, when a group of French intellectuals led by the philosopher Andre Gorz proposed a simple idea: In response to mounting environmental and social problems, they suggested that the only real solution was to produce and consume less — to shrink our economies to cope with the carrying capacity of our planet. The proposal was considered by many at the time to be too radical. But with today’s climate crisis, debates around degrowth have been reinvigorated, and many major figures such as Noam Chomsky, Yanis Varoufakis and Anthony Giddens have, to varying degrees, expressed support for the idea.

CHALLENGE

Why degrowth is more relevant today more than ever?

What does a definition of degrowth might sound like?

Why degrowth is an asset, and not a liability?

What is the difference between degrowth and green growth?

What does degrowth mean for businesses and technology?

WORKSHOP

During this 3-weeks course, you’ll learn more about what degrowth-adapted product design means: how can we create products that have longer lifespans, are modular, or are locally produced?

How can we encourage a culture of maintenance, repair and co-usership? How is community more powerful than material consumption when it comes to improve people’s sense of happiness?

How can we create living conditions based on qualitative maintenance and restauration, instead of continuous production for economic growth and raising consumption?

START PROTOTYPING

The future of business and innovation is degrowth-adapted product design and this course will prepare you with the right tools, knowledge and methodology to create for a future that adapted for ecology’s imperative of interdependence and limit.

You have the power to create a new world.

What will you build?

TUTOR

Andra Bria is a digital product and service designer and creative lead. She has over 7 years experience in working with international brands, as well as advising early stage startups on how to communicate and innovate. Her public recognitions include nominations at competitions such as Golden Drum Europe, Central European Startup Awards or Facebook. She holds a MA degree in equality policies and gender mainstreaming.

WHO IS IT FOR?

This course aims to bring business professionals together with activists, hackers and designers – so that everyone learns from the collective intelligence of the room.

TICKETS

This is a one-day masterclass with opportunities for continued mentoring and coaching afterwards.

149 EUR – standard pricing

CRAFT PRODUCT SCHOOL:

Check out http://craftproductschool.xyz/ to learn more about previous workshops and other training opportunities.

Enquiries: hello@andrabria.xyz