Short answer
Integrate business model considerations and multi-lifecycle anticipation directly into the product design process for circular offerings.
- Field
- Sustainability
- Source
- Sustainability (2018)
- Method
- Case Study
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Designers must develop competencies to concurrently design products and their associated circular business models, anticipating multi-lifecycle evolution. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in Sustainability. Using Case study, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Integrate business model considerations and multi-lifecycle anticipation directly into the product design process for circular offerings.
Product Design Competencies for Evolving Circular Business Models
Designers must develop competencies to concurrently design products and their associated circular business models, anticipating multi-lifecycle evolution.
Sustainability · 2018
Key Findings
- 01Designers need to concurrently develop the circular business model and the product's design.
- 02Designers must be able to anticipate how the circular offering will evolve over multiple lifecycles.
- 03The functional and coordinating roles of designers in circular models were verified, and a strategic role was identified.
Application
Design takeaway
Integrate business model considerations and multi-lifecycle anticipation directly into the product design process for circular offerings.
How to apply
When designing products intended for leasing, refurbishment, or other circular models, actively consider and map out the business model and potential future iterations of the offering alongside the product design.
Project actions
- 01When designing a product for a circular model, consider how it will be disassembled, repaired, and upgraded.
- 02Think about the business model that will support the product's lifecycle, such as leasing or take-back schemes.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides practical insights into the strategic role of product designers in circular business models.
- +Combines literature review with real-world case study data.
Limitations
A single case study might not represent all industries or product types. The focus on baby strollers may not directly translate to all product categories.
Reliability & validity
The use of a single case study limits external validity, but the longitudinal nature and in-depth analysis contribute to internal validity. Triangulation of literature and practice enhances reliability.
Think critically
To what extent can a product be designed for a circular business model without a fully defined business strategy, and how does this influence the design process?
Design Principles
"Design for circularity requires a holistic approach that encompasses product form, function, and the business model it enables across multiple lifecycles."
Successfully transitioning to circular economy models requires a fundamental shift in how products are designed and offered. This research highlights that designers need to move beyond traditional product development to consider the entire lifecycle and the business model it supports, enabling more sustainable and resilient systems.
What This Means for Your Design
To make products that can be reused and leased, designers need to think about not just how the product is made, but also how it will be used, repaired, and potentially updated over many years, and how this fits into a business plan.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify the need for designing products with a focus on longevity, repairability, and adaptability for circular business models.
- 2.Incorporate the identified designer competencies (concurrent design of product and business model, anticipating evolution) into your design process and reflections.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights the critical need for designers to develop competencies in concurrently designing both the product and its associated circular business model, while also anticipating the offering's evolution across multiple lifecycles. This strategic approach is essential for the successful implementation of circular economy principles in product development.
Source
Sustainability
The Role of Product Design in Creating Circular Business Models: A Case Study on the Lease and Refurbishment of Baby Strollers
journal · 2018
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about product design competencies for evolving circular business models?
- Integrate business model considerations and multi-lifecycle anticipation directly into the product design process for circular offerings. Evidence: Sustainability (2018).
- Why does "Product Design Competencies for Evolving Circular Business Models" matter for design?
- Successfully transitioning to circular economy models requires a fundamental shift in how products are designed and offered. This research highlights that designers need to move beyond traditional product development to consider the entire lifecycle and the business model it supports, enabling more sustainable and resilient systems.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Integrate business model considerations and multi-lifecycle anticipation directly into the product design process for circular offerings.
- What were the main findings?
- Designers need to concurrently develop the circular business model and the product's design.. Designers must be able to anticipate how the circular offering will evolve over multiple lifecycles.. The functional and coordinating roles of designers in circular models were verified, and a strategic role was identified.
- What research method was used?
- Case Study.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2018 journal from Sustainability.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing products intended for leasing, refurbishment, or other circular models, actively consider and map out the business model and potential future iterations of the offering alongside the product design.
- What are the limitations?
- The findings are based on a single case study, which may limit generalizability.