Design as a Platform to Build Deep Sustainability: Reflections Around an Ideation Exercise with Portuguese Schools

Abstract

This design case describes an ideation process designed to be held with some of the schools of the Municipality of Torres Novas, Portugal, where the students were invited to imagine their school in relation to a future scenario. The initial objective of the exercise was to explore ways in which design could foster ecological literacy through participatory processes. The difficulties found along the way, however, have led me to reflect on the role of the designer as activator, integrator, and facilitator of design creative process in this context, using design as a platform to co-creatively construct ecological imaginaries and possible ways toward sustainability.