Design in Context: Ecology, Economics and Politics

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 analyst 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 respite 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 tow 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 unsustainable practices. To develop this potential what would you do differently?