By Susanne Clement Justesen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs.
Graphic: Julie Nete Nielsen. Photo: AAU

Design as a profession must support a sustainable production and consumption society instead of a throw-away culture. Danish design researchers have thus joined forces to establish the Danish Centre for Design Research that will contribute to this aim with methods and perspectives that enable us to rethink our relationship to resources, technology and community. Heading the new centre is Linda Nhu Laursen, Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology.

 "In the midst of a time marked by the climate crisis, overconsumption and democratic imbalance, it is no longer enough to rejoice over beautiful chairs and successful combinations of materials. We must ask ourselves some urgent and self-critical questions: What kind of future are we designing ourselves into? What premise is design practice based on? What responsibility does the design profession have? And not least: Do we even take enough responsibility?," says Linda Nhu Laursen.

Making sustainability accessible

Design research can help answer these questions as it examines how we can extend the lifespan of products, promote repair, and minimize waste. 

 "Design is not just about materials, but also about changing our notions of what is valuable – and when something is 'finished'. In other words, design can make sustainability more accessible, less embarrassing and more human," says Linda Nhu Laursen. 

 Thinking long-term and sustainably

The new centre for design research will play a key role in developing new knowledge and creating a set of values where views of humanity and society and technological development are based on democratic principles, ethical considerations and respect.

"We need to unite and think in long-term, sustainable, circular and economically smart ways in order for the Danish welfare state to function. Design is not the whole solution, but it is part of the problem – and thus part of the answer," says Linda Nhu Laursen.