Sustainable Design examines the emergence of key concepts in sustainability theory and their impact on design practice since the Industrial Revolution. With a focus on the agency of design professions in accelerating social and material development, students think critically, analyse and discuss key questions connecting design thinking, design practice and implications for quality of life in the short and longer term. This course underlines the significance of sustainability within and beyond the design professions, of particular relevance to the fields of creative practice, environmental studies, manufacturing, business, law and politics.

Sustainable Design: Theories and Practice will provide students with a framework for understanding key concepts in sustainable design, assisting you to locate, identify and creatively engage with important underpinning themes and contemporary interpretations that have influenced and continue to shape contemporary design practice. A scholarly approach explores a wide range of sources related to interdisciplinary design issues and pragmatic considerations including systemic relationships between natural and anthropological systems, the dynamics of social, economic and environmental contexts for design, and attitudes towards responsibility in contemporary practice.

COFA students can select this stand-alone course from an approved list to satisfy core requirements in the BFA(Hons), BMA(Hons) or BDes(Hons) programs. Where places are available, other students may also take this course as either a free elective or general education course.