STRATEGY · UX · 2021/2022
zukunft+
Workshop Concept for Sustainability Transformations in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
We have known for years that today’s consumer behavior has far-reaching consequences for our future lives.
The master’s thesis “zukunft+” therefore examines the transition to sustainability in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
There are many business and strategy consultants on the market. They offer assistance with the technical implementation of a transformation but focus less on decision-makers and their motivation. However, this is crucial if lasting change toward sustainability is to be achieved at all levels. Emotions play a decisive role in the decision to act—or not to act—in a sustainable manner.
PERIOD
Feb. 2021 – July 2021
Master's thesis in collaboration with hochE
TEAM
Inga Wachter, Sara Breitbach, Miriam Schlegl
MY ROLE
Concept, Design, Renderings, Video, Development
TOOLS
Figma, Photoshop, Illustrator, Cinema4D
01 STARTING POINT
“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.”
– Alan Kay
Our resources are not infinite. It is therefore necessary to act in a way that allows for their responsible use. To break old consumption patterns and establish new ones, the actions of three groups are crucial: consumers, businesses, and policymakers. The current business models of many companies will no longer be sustainable in the future.
Since a great deal of educational and motivational work is already being done among consumers, and since we as designers have had less success in influencing policymakers, companies were identified as the most effective lever for this master’s thesis.
This led to the following research question:
How can we support companies—while taking emotions into account—in overcoming barriers to sustainability transformations?
02 CONCEPT
The strength of strategic designers lies in their ability to tackle so-called “wicked problems” using design methods and to develop appropriate solutions.
This unique approach allows them to gain a fresh perspective on issues and to design user-centered concepts.
We used this design capability to develop a new approach to business consulting: a one-day workshop based on methods such as Design Thinking and Design Futuring.
The workshop thus covers not only the technical but also the emotional component for the participants.
Design Futuring in particular makes it possible to convey information about sustainability and to synthesize and break down companies’ barriers to transformation.
The result of the master’s thesis is a one-day workshop that uses methods from psychology and Design Futuring to convey information about sustainability and to synthesize the barriers companies face in transformations.
To achieve a long-term learning effect for the participants, the workshop is complemented by a digital platform. It contains the results of the workshop, further methods for shaping the future as a team, and best-practice examples of sustainable transformations.
03 DEVELOPMENT
