In this unit, you will learn about ‘circular design’ - a system of design that explicitly focuses on enabling the continuous re-use of resources, including waste and by-products, so that they are fed back into the design loop and used again.

You will examine the role of circular design in the wider context of the emerging ‘circular economy,’ an economic system that supports sustainability, resilience, long-term value and environmental responsibility by replacing linear approaches (i.e. make – use – dispose) with cyclical approaches (e.g. recycling, up- and down-cycling, re-purposing and re-engineering) to all forms of production.

Through applied work and case studies, you will investigate how design approaches are used to maximise sustainability by planning and building in features that enable products to extend beyond a single lifecycle into multiple generations and learn how to apply these approaches in practice.

Practical Approaches to Learning at University College

The University College is committed to providing students with opportunities to engage in practical learning experiences. Every unit is therefore driven by at least one approach that is problem or project-based, or that involves work-integrated learning.

These activities allow you to develop discipline-specific skills, knowledge and behaviours, alongside a range of employability skills and professional attributes. Some of these include, for example, active inquiry, communication, social, cultural and ethical responsibility, planning and critical reflection.

To find more information on the University College’s approach to teaching and learning, click here to view in the Unit Outline Essential Information resource.