Culturally-referenced product service systems: ideas from Asian students

Abstract

This paper presents the results of student workshops on “Designing Sustainable Futures” conducted in tertiary design institutions in Ahmadābād, Běijīng, Hong Kong and Manila. The diversity of the culturally-referenced solutions – which can be categorized as being either “product oriented”, “use-oriented” or “result-oriented” – is interesting. Students often get pleasantly surprised that sustainable and less material-intensive product service systems exist in their cultures, and which could be used as drivers and inspiration for culturally-appropriate innovation and sustainable solution development.