Circular Design Thinking unit (KDA105)

Hobart

Introduction

This 3-day intensive introduces students to fundamental circular design thinking principles and practical methodologies that can be applied throughout this degree and beyond. You will explore how to reimagine products, services, and systems to eliminate waste, create sustainable value and have regenerative impact. Working both individually and collaboratively, you will evaluate existing design solutions against circular economy principles and transform linear systems into regenerative models through strategic design interventions. The unit emphasises the designer's ethical responsibility in addressing complex sustainability challenges and explores the historical contexts that have shaped current production and consumption patterns. By completing this you will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to drive innovation toward more sustainable and equitable futures using design tools, it is expected that you will use the tools and methods throughout your other units, and compile a reflection on how you have used these tools as part of AT3 in Week 10. This unit requires pre-reading before attendance. There are approximately18 hours of content that you need to complete in the week prior to the 3-day intensive, ensure you have read the associated content.

Summary

Unit name	Circular Design Thinking
Unit code	KDA105
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Sciences and Engineering School of Architecture and Design
Discipline	Architecture & Design
Coordinator	Doctor Vanessa Ward
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Introductory

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Hobart	Half Year Period 1

Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Half Year Period 1	25/1/2026	16/3/2026	8/4/2026	20/6/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Explain the fundamental principles of circular economy and how they relate to sustainable design practices.
• Evaluate existing design solutions using circular economy principles.
• Apply circular design thinking methodologies to analyse product and service lifecycles.
• Transform linear product/service systems into regenerative models through design interventions.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
100500	$1,192.00	$1,020.00	not applicable	$2,972.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

Assessment	Circular Design Thinking Action Plan & Reflection (20%)|Circular Product Innovation Project (40%)|Design Sprint Workbook (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.
Recommended	Sedini, C., et al. (2024). "Shifting Design Thinking to a Circular Design Perspective: Reframing the Process of Circular Innovation." Design Research Quarterly.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.