8 Front-End Languages to Learn
November 26, 2024
Article
Master the Techniques of Circular Product Design. Learners will recognize the need to transition to a circular economy, learn the design strategies to create sustainable and circular products, and how those products can be certified to rigorous Cradle-to-Cradle product standards.
Instructor: Michael J. Readey, Ph.D.
Top Instructor
Included with
Recommended experience
Intermediate level
Working professionals with a background in science, business, technology, or engineering is ideal.
Recommended experience
Intermediate level
Working professionals with a background in science, business, technology, or engineering is ideal.
Apply Design-for-R principles of circular product design.
Identify materials that best meet circular product design objectives.
Analyze different circular product design frameworks for alignment with different product development processes.
Analyze packaging systems to identify sustainable and not-so-sustainable attributes.
Add to your LinkedIn profile
February 2025
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
Developing more circular products requires a much different design paradigm. The Sustainable and Circular Product Development specialization shifts the thinking of product development from a linear economic model, where products are designed to be used then thrown away, to a more circular economic model, where nothing ends up in a landfill. Today’s product designers need to be aware of the entire product lifecycle.
This specialization explores circular product and packaging design, including Design for R strategies, material selection techniques, and planning for end-of-life recycling and composting. The tools, design frameworks and certification protocols come from organizations such as the Cradle-to-Cradle Products Innovation Institute, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, IDEO, Biomimicry 3.8, and a relatively recent effort known as the CIRCit Circular Product Design and Development project. The courses within the specialization discuss everything from the material flows throughout a product's lifecycle to how products can be certified by rigorous 3rd-party standards recognized across the globe.
If you are responsible for developing the next generation products that are not only better for your customers, but also beneficial to the environment, then this specialization is for you. It is a practical, hands-on guide that enables you to become a leader in the transition to a more circular economy.
Applied Learning Project
Learners work on projects throughout the specialization to apply the concepts covered in the courses. These include conducting a product teardown, making eco-friendly packing peanuts, analyzing product labels, and evaluating different circular design frameworks.
“Design for the Circular Economy” microcredential and graduate certificate are developed around the educational goals of providing technical, business, and leadership knowledge and skills that inspire the transformation towards a more circular economy. This includes gaining technical knowledge to apply circular economy principles in product design, minimizing waste and maximizing impact; developing business acumen to implement innovative circular economic models that prioritize sustainability and resilience; and acquiring leadership strategies to communicate effectively and inspire change within an organization.
Describe the concept of the Circular Economy and why it is necessary today.
Explain the difference between linear and circular product design using Design for R strategies.
Describe how organic (e.g., natural) materials enable a circular economy through the biological cycle.
Apply materials selection tools to achieve circular product objectives.
Make informed purchasing decisions by identifying sustainable and circular attributes of packaging.
Explain the importance and function of packaging.
Describe how packaging is designed and tested.
Explain different packaging materials, from paper to plastic, and the innovative technologies on the horizon.
Make informed eco-design decisions by identifying and applying circular design criteria from three very different design frameworks.
Understand and apply design guidelines from the EMF-IDEO framework, the CIRCit Design Model, and Biomimicry.
Explain the 5 areas associated with the C2C Certification Process and why the process is important in transitioning to a more circular economy.
Evaluate a product and packaging for its degree of circularity using Circularity Assessment Tools and C2C certification requirements.
CU Boulder is a dynamic community of scholars and learners on one of the most spectacular college campuses in the country. As one of 34 U.S. public institutions in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), we have a proud tradition of academic excellence, with five Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies.
Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.
This Specialization doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.