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Knowledge Base Repository

In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.

Designers’ challenges in anticipating and preventing rebound effects: insights from industry interviews

Mckay, Lukas; Høgdal, Frederik; McAloone, Tim C.; Pigosso, Daniela C. A.

Type:
Papers
DS 145: Proceedings of the DESIGN2026 19th International Design Conference
Year:
2026
Editor:
Štorga, M.; Škec, S.; Martinec, T.; Marjanović, D.; Pavković, N.
Author:
Mckay, Lukas; Høgdal, Frederik; McAloone, Tim C.; Pigosso, Daniela C. A.
Series:
DESIGN
Institution:
Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
Page(s):
1411-1420
DOI number:
10.1017/pds.2026.10499
ISSN:
2732-527X (Online)
Abstract:
Rebound effects occur when sustainability interventions trigger behavioural or systemic responses that offset environmental benefits. This paper explores how designers encounter and seek to prevent them in practice, based on nine interviews with sustainability-oriented practitioners. We identify twelve challenges across micro, meso and macro levels, showing that effective prevention requires aligning behavioural literacy, organisational governance and structural incentives across design contexts.
Keywords:
rebound effects, design research, behavioural design, systemic design challenges, decision-making
DESIGN2026 - The 19th International Design Conference
Conferences

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