Adaptation of the Industrial Design thinking process to the demands of biodegradable plastics

Abstract

A variety of definitions for Industrial Design (ID) were developed according the industrial evolution through time. However, it is hard to decide on the definition that suits best for this considerably new research field since it actually is manifested through a type of process. In this view, many common methods are proposed in the related literature that companies or designers use in the product development. Hence, the remarkable development of technology and tools affects the phases in the ID processes and therefore they can be revolutionary game changers. In order to facilitate transforming the ID decision making process into a real eco-friendly product, the environmental factor is used as a focal point. Moreover, for more precise research, biodegradable materials are used as a problem statement. In addition, the aim of this research is to propose a scheme which categorizes the ID phases according the needs of biodegradable materials when designing for environment. In this approach, the ID process includes also the phases such as: end-of-life analysis of the proposed materials, scenarios that occur according this analysis, concepts that fulfill technical and aesthetic requirements, and production and evaluation of prototypes given the environmental, economic and social criteria. The aim of the proposed scheme corresponding to the decision making process is to provide a new method as a facilitative guide for environmentally oriented ID thinking process.