Course - Design for Circularity - TEK3110
Design for Circularity
New from the academic year 2025/2026
About
About the course
Course content
This course provides an introduction to the principles of Circular Economy and System-Oriented Design, with an emphasis on the use of Design Thinking methodology. Students will learn how to design products and related systems that are sustainable, efficient and adapted to a circular economy. The course will combine theory with practical examples where products are developed according to the principles of circular production and economics. Circular Economy is a framework for system solutions that deal with global challenges such as climate change, loss of biological diversity, waste and pollution.
In this subject, the student must plan and carry out a creative design and development process with a focus on circular production. The student must exercise critical reflection and have a dialogue with the target group or professionals the project focuses on, and it will be an important part of the project work to be documented.
Presentations, tests, dialogue, exchange of experience and meetings with professionals and environments will be common throughout this subject. The subject is aimed at academic specialization and professionalisation. Current topics for specialization are:
Design Thinking methods (Design-driven Innovation)
- Empathy: Understanding needs through interviews, observations and user surveys
- Define: Define issues based on insights from user surveys
- Generate ideas: Generate ideas through brainstorming, mind mapping and other creative techniques
- Prototyping: Develop prototypes to test and improve ideasTesting:
- Testing prototypes with users and in the associated system
Introduction to System Oriented Design (SoD)
- Definition and principles
- Systems thinking and complexity
- Gigamaps and other tools
Basic concepts in circular economy
- Definition and principles
- Linear vs. circular economy
- Important players and examples
- Methods and tools - design for circularity
System mapping and modelling
- Design for X (DfX) methods
- Implementation and evaluation of projects
Strategies for implementation in organizations
- Measuring success and continuous improvement
- Policy and regulations
Learning outcome
Knowledge
The candidate
- must be able to carry out a design and development process as a scientific work with associated design specialization
- must have knowledge of relevant methods and theory within chosen areas
- knowledge of basic methods for scientific project work
Skills
The candidate
- have skills in transferring design theory to a project
- must be able to use relevant methods and tools in the chosen area
- can present ideas and concepts visually and verbally
General competence
The candidate
- have knowledge of projects such as working methods, organisation, implementation and reporting
- have basic skills in project work
- can apply theoretical knowledge in a practical project
- can reflect on own learning
Learning methods and activities
Teaching methods
- Lectures: Theoretical basis and examples.
- Seminars: Discussions and reflection.
- Workshops: Practical exercises and group work
- Project work: Development of own design projects.
- Excursions: Visits to relevant companies and facilities.
Design strategies for circular economy
- Product life and durability
- Design for Disassembly
- Repair, reuse and recycling
- Cradle-to-Cradle design
- Product Life Cycle Management (PLM)
Case studies and practical examples
- Analysis of successful circular systems
- Project work with real problems
- Design and development of products
- Cooperation with industry partners
Learning Factory for Circular Production
- Definition and principles
- Lab tasks disassembly in learning factory
Implementation and evaluation of projects
- Strategies for implementation in organizations
- Measuring success and continuous improvement
- Policy and regulations
Compulsory assignments
- Assignments, see coursedescription
Further on evaluation
Compulsory activities:
Compulsory submissions based on the project's content and progress. All mandatory work requirements must be passed in order to take the exam/submit the report in the subject.
Project work in groups:
Oral and visual presentation of project.
Process and results are described in a report according to the IMRoD structure.
Mandatory submissions must be passed in order to take the exam/submit the report. The final grade is given based on the project report.
Portfolio assessment will be the project report and all compulsory activities in the course.If the project report/group work is not passed, the group can submit an improved report by 1 September of the following year.
Attendance will be compulsory on certain days which include lab exercises. This will be announced at the start of the semester.
Specific conditions
Admission to a programme of study is required:
Production and Product Development – Engineering (BIMAS-F)
Course materials
Stated at the start of the semester
Subject areas
- Product Design Engineering - Design Methodology