Design Forum Finland is a 150-year-old non-profit organization that supports the growth, internationalization, and competitiveness of Finnish SMEs. Design Forum Finland provides guidance and advice and lowers the threshold for the broad application of design in business development.
What kind of product or service is it?
The Circular Design guidebook is an easy-to-read book that introduces circular thinking and provides clear guidance on how to move towards a circular economy in development work. It is aimed at corporate decision-makers, product and service developers, and design professionals. The goal is to help readers understand that the transition to a circular economy is not only necessary for the environment but also a unique opportunity for innovation and business.
The EU is introducing a lot of regulation that will steer companies towards the circular economy. In response to these regulations, companies are setting targets for reducing their carbon footprint and improving biodiversity. The transition to a circular economy is a solution that will enable these targets to be achieved. Understanding the circular economy is essential for corporate management, which is why this guide is also aimed at them.
The content of the book was produced by Ville Tikka and Design Forum Finland. The layout was done by Days Agency / Katja Merisalo and Maiju Kolisoja. The illustrations are by Jukka Fordell.
The Circular Design for Business online course is an independent, flexible, and free course. The course is aimed at companies’ RDI teams, designers, and management. The course teaches the basics of the circular economy through seven different themes and increases understanding of circular economy-based business. At the end of the course, learners receive a work package that helps them continue development work in their own business. The basics of the course take about 10 hours to complete, and the sections can be completed in approximately 20-minute segments. The course is suitable for completion alongside work and includes plenty of exercises and business examples.
Today’s working life requires continuous learning and the adoption of new skills. The target group includes many experts whose expertise lies in linear economy solutions. Without updating their professional skills, the circular economy cannot develop.
What is new or innovative about the solution?
The circular economy is still understood rather narrowly as a recycling economy. Increasing expertise in companies is essential for the transition to a circular economy to take place.
Research shows that most of the environmental impacts of products and services are determined during their development phase, so increasing knowledge is particularly important for the target group of the Circular Design course.