For data collection and comparison purposes we have kept the contents of workshop 2.0 close to workshop version 1.0. For the most part, the details have remained the same. The main focus was still on hands-on prototyping, and participants engaged with the same design brief built around the circular design strategy Design for Disassembly. However, the workshop format was initially created with undergraduate students (with little to no prior knowledge of circularity) in mind. Since the participants of workshop 2.0 included both undergraduate and graduate students that were familiar with circularity, we made a few changes to the workshop program to better match the educational level and study needs of the students.
Another element that resulted in changes in the program of workshop 2.0 was the time schedule. For workshop version 1.0 we were able to plan four consecutive days to conduct the workshop. In order to enable students to join workshop 2.0, we had to adjust to the university schedule. This resulted in a time schedule where the workshop days were divided over two weekends. We met up with the participants twice during the week in between at the university to discuss their prototyping process.
The following section shows the contents of workshop 2.0. Changes are highlighted.
Contents
[Day 1]
Lecture “What is circular design?”
A 60-minute lecture to provide the participants with basic knowledge of circular design.
Content:
Linear VS circular design
Circular economy system (butterfly diagram)
Circular business: Product → Service design
Circular design strategies
Examples of circular business and design
Explanation of the design brief
Hands-on learning
Rapid material research
Rapid prototyping
Progress sharing
[Day 2]
Prototyping
Lecture “Circular Business” by the CEO of colourloop, Dr. Motoko Uchimaru.
The lecture gives an introduction to the circular business model of colourloop as well as insights into the design and material research practices of the company. Furthermore, it provides the participants with additional detailed background information about textile recycling. After the lecture participants engage in an extensive Q&A session with Dr. Uchimaru.
“Circular Flow Map” exercise
(refer to contents of Workshop 1.0 for details)
Homework - Create an improved version of your Circular Flow Map (“Circular Flow Map 2.0”)
[Midweek]
Digital logbooks
Participants were asked to keep track of their progress in individual digital logbooks during the workshop days on the weekend, as well as when they were working outside of our studio during the weekdays in between. In the digital logbook, the participants were asked to give updates on their daily actions and reflections, in written form and with the use of sketches, photos, or videos.
Group reflections on midweek prototyping sessions at university
The midweek provided the participants with extra time that was spent on prototyping at university. The participants made use of the facilities of the university’s digital fabrication workspace, such as the laser cutter and vacuum forming machine to conduct additional experiments with colourloop’s WFRP sheet material that was provided during the workshop. We scheduled two group sessions at the university to discuss and reflect on the midweek developments of the participants.
[Day 3]
Prototyping
Exhibition preparations and documentation of the final product prototypes
Essential documentation of the product results as they are fully assembled before going to the final exercise of disassembly on Day 4.
Exhibition
Presentations
Final works
Circular Flow Maps
Feedback from visitors
After-talk
[Day 4]
Disassembly exercise
Reflection, group discussion
Data was gathered through questionnaires before the workshop and at the end of the workshop, and by providing the participants with digital logbooks to keep track of their processes during the workshop. Additionally, data was collected through daily group talks with the participants and observations by the organizers. These data outputs were written materials, photos, and videos. The goals of the data collection were to evaluate the level of knowledge and experience of the participants regarding circular design and the circular economy (CE), as well as to get an understanding of the perceived challenges the participants faced when engaging in circularity. One of the major differences between workshop 1.0 and workshop 2.0 was the time schedule in which the workshops were held. This had an influence on the way the data collection was conducted. Because the workshop days of version 2.0 were divided over two weekends, as opposed to the four consecutive days during workshop 1.0, the digital logbooks were more intensively used to keep track of the participant's progress during the weekdays in between since the organizers could not always be present.
As described above, we made various changes to the program of workshop 2.0 to fit better with the participants’ level of knowledge, skills, and needs. Some of these changes were prepared well before starting workshop 2.0, while other changes were made concurrently. During the first edition of the Design for Circularity workshop, colourloop’s CEO Dr. Motoko Uchimaru joined the exhibition on day 3 to see the final works the participants created with colourloop’s recycled textile materials. She brought a broad range of material samples with her that she developed for colourloop to show the participants and visitors of the exhibition. The participants showed great interest in the materials, and they were able to ask Dr. Uchimaru many in-depth questions about her practice in material research and design. As this became such a value-adding experience for the participants, it prompted us to invite Dr. Uchimaru earlier on in the program of workshop 2.0 to introduce colourloop’s material research and circular business development while participants were right in the middle of their own concept building and prototyping. Her “Circular Business” lecture provided extra insights into colourloop’s circular design practice and detailed background information about textile recycling. After the lecture participants were immersed in a Q&A session with Dr. Uchimaru, and got up close with colourloop’s broad range of material samples. This was a great inspiration for the participants as they continued working with colourloop’s WFRP sheet material during the remainder of the workshop.
Since a lot of time during the official workshop days was focused on theory, the midweek provided the participants with additional time for actual hands-on making. Participants were able to make use of their universities’ facilities for thorough material explorations and prototyping. For more details on the midweek proceedings, please check the Midweek Report.