Free events run with Design Victoria in Melbourne

The Centre for Design at RMIT University is working with Design Victoria to bring a series of eight free events on eco-design to the Victorian design and small to medium sized (SME) business community.

What is eco-design?

Eco-design – also known as ‘design for the environment’ or ‘design for sustainability’, is crucial in moving Victoria towards a more sustainable future.

Eco-design examines a products life cycle and proposes design decisions or changes in order to minimise the environmental impacts of a products development, use and end of life. In order to achieve economic and environmental outcomes, designers are also encouraged to employ a range of eco-design strategies as part of their design process.

Design Victoria is partnering with the Centre for Design at RMIT University – leaders in eco-design research and industry professionals to deliver the Business Ready eco-design seminar and workshop series for designers, design consultancies and in-house design teams.

The seminars and workshops will impart strategies for the effective integration of environmental considerations into design. More information and updates throughout the series is available at designvic.com.

Eco-design has very immediate relevance to designers and producers including:

• Increased export opportunities for designers and manufactures;
• Reduced production costs for the client by using materials efficiently, reducing assembly time;
• Market growth in countries and regions where consumerism is environmentally oriented;
• The ability to supply products into markets where policy and regulatory requirements demand high levels of environmental performance and compliance;
• Straight forward and cost effective disassembly, reuse and recycling for end-of-life products;
• The ability to exploit eco-design and environmental drivers as a catalyst for overall product innovation;
• Enhanced company image by demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and innovation; and
• The projection of a sustainable future through everyday products that are environmentally affirmative.

Eco-design is a valuable input that can blend positive environmental features into the deign process without comprising product quality, functionality, reliability, aesthetics, cost and marketability.

It is estimated that 70% of a product’s environmental impact is determined at the design stage. Designers and product developers are in a key position to influence and reduce these impacts, often through straight forward methods.

The above information has been provided by Design for Sustainability – D4S and Product Ecology.

Eco Design Event information

Events for Designers

Event 1: Delivering eco-design for clients: Principles and introduction (seminar)

Tuesday 30 September 2008, from 6:00pm till 9:00pm, located at Digital Harbour, Melbourne Docklands

Event 2: Life cycle eco-design strategies: effective decision making (workshop)

Tuesday 25th November 2008, from 9.30am till 4.30 pm, located at Digital Harbor, Docklands

Event 3: Embedding eco-design: Tools for success (workshop)

Tuesday 24th February 2009, from 8.30 till 11.30am, located at CH2 Building, Little Collins St, Melbourne

Event 4: Communicating eco-design: Staying on top of the market (workshop)

Tuesday 5th May 2009, from 9.30am till 12.30pm, located at CH2 Building, Little Collins St, Melbourne

For more information on these events go to: http://www.designvic.com/Knowledge/HotTopics/EcoDesign_Designers.aspx

For small to medium sized businesses:

Event 1: Business case for ‘greener’ products (seminar)

Thursday 16th October 2008, from 10am -12pm, located at Digital Harbor, Docklands

Event 2: Business case for ‘greener’ products (workshop)

Tuesday 11th November 2008, from 9.30am till 4pm, located at CH2 Building, Little Collins St

Event 3: Marketing ‘greener’ products (seminar)

Thursday 5 March 2009, from10am till 12pm, located at Digital Harbor, Docklands

Event 4: Marketing ‘greener’ products (workshop)

Wednesday 1st April 2009, from 9.30am till 4pm, located at CH2 Building, Little Collins St

For more information on these events go to: http://www.designvic.com/Home/Knowledge/HotTopics/EcoDesign_Business.aspx

All events are free and places are limited in each event, so register now to secure your place.

Register online at Design Victoria: http://www.designvic.com/

Please download eco design events for business PDF attached for further information