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E&PDE 2026 - 28th International Conference on Engineering & Product Design Education
The Conference will bring together representatives from education and industry interested in sharing new perspectives on design education.
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IMPLEMENTATION OF A RECYCLING DESIGN WORKSHOP INSPIRED BY BIOMIMICRY.
Acuña, Alejandro
Type:
Year:
2026
Editor:
Buck, Lyndon; Brisco. Ross; Bohemia, Erik
Author:
Series:
E&PDE
Institution:
ITESM Campus Queretaro, Mexico
Page(s):
173 - 178
DOI number:
ISBN:
978-1-912254-24-8
ISSN:
3005-4753
Abstract:
Sustainable design and the use of recycled materials are essential for reducing environmental impact. Teaching these practices to future engineers and designers is crucial for promoting more responsible development. The objective of the workshop was to raise awareness and train students in the use of recycled materials through a design method based on the Biomimicry spiral, "From Biology to Design." This allowed first- and second-year Industrial Design Engineering students to propose products using materials donated to ELISAVA Material Depot, sourced from various activities and projects at the university. The workshop consisted of three 3-hour sessions, during which the five stages of the proposed methodology were implemented. These sessions took place in a classroom and in the university's workshops. Materials used included wood and wood products, metal tubes, laminated plastics, fabric, and thread, among others. The proposed products included an organizer, a table/magazine rack, an eyeglass holder, a jewellery box, a coffee table, and a storage container. Among the results of this experience, we can highlight the knowledge and application of nature-based design methods, the dynamics of working to solve a specific problem under pressure and with limited time, the collaborative work and creativity displayed in an environment similar to professional practice, among others. In the future, we intend to conduct more workshops under similar circumstances, but considering improvements focused on complexity, execution times, and scope. We believe that these types of learning experiences are very valuable for engineering and design students, as they promote more responsible and environmentally friendly practices.
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