Abstract:

As a result of the high interest demonstrated by undergraduate students specially in research topics with a sustainable approach, a subject called Design Management Workshop is developed for the Industrial Design career at the Universidad del Bío-Bío in Chile. This subject proposes the development of a theoretical-practical research related to the design of materials for the transition, which are those that constitute an alternative to replace traditional polluting materials. The objective is for students to understand the relevance of designing materials with a sustainable approach and its integration to the market projection in the field of Creative and Cultural Industries in the design area of Gran Concepción. Solid waste management is the only thing service that the vast majority of city governments provide for their residents. While service levels, environmental impacts, and costs vary dramatically, Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is arguably the most important municipal service. As the world hurtles toward its urban future, the number of MSW is one of the most relevant byproducts of a lifestyle that is growing even faster than the rate of urbanization. In the field of material design, concepts are constantly changing regarding the suitability of the composition. In the area of product design, environmental sensitivity has had a great impact and is currently reflected in the entire design process.

The methodology includes six stages:
1. Identification of a company in the design area belonging to the Creative and Cultural Industries, which will be a case study;
2. Identification of characteristic materials and products of the company;
3. Understanding of concepts of circular design and materials for the transition;
4. Identification of Municipal solid waste (MSW) and its potential to create new materials;
5. Development of experiences in the design and manufacture of materials for the transition;
6. Ideation of applications of the materials in products that can be marketed by the case study company.

Learning is done through basic techniques for processing conventional materials and waste, to design new materials with a sustainable approach. The results are six prototypes designed and manufactured using Do It Yourself techniques. All of them have a sustainable approach based on the possibility of reducing the use of conventional raw materials, through the integration of waste. The prototypes mix ceramic with inorganic waste from MSW. Students are able to design and manufacture materials with a sustainable approach, visualizing applications for the transition, while helping to replace conventional materials. Training students who understand the advantages of integrating the material design with a sustainable approach in the product design process is valued. This type of learning involves guiding students to research and to value their contribution to the company as a factor that is aligned with sustainability and more conscious handling of materials. The conclusions indicate the need to integrate methods and contents that allow undergraduate students to develop research skills, to develop their propositional capacities, as well as to select and implement research methods that allow them to devise solutions with a sustainable approach, so necessary in news to offer more beneficial proposals for the environment and production systems.

Keywords:

Education, Materials design, Research, Waste.