Speck makes an untraditional but strong business case for product developers and brands to adopt circular design practices for profitability across numerous metrics.

As any product designer knows, the decisions you make throughout the development process have an incredible impact and far-reaching implications. Nothing could be a better example of this than planned obsolescence. However, it is still a widespread design practice, especially in technology, and it is in direct conflict with the concepts embodied in the circular economy.

In good times and bad, the things we use every day shape our lives and, increasingly, our well-being. This is why, post-Covid, it has become clear--a product designer's mind belongs to crisis. It is an opportunity for us to rethink why things work the way they do and why, at the drop of a hat, they don't. In turn, this reminds us the products we design are ephemeral, but the experiences we design are not.

Design for Manufacturing is a relatively new process that cuts costs, reduces risk, and shortens timelines. And, that's not even the best news! There are several other benefits from DFM that make it a smart process for any product development project looking to tip the scales towards success.

The user experience has changed because the users have changed. The truth of the pandemic is--none of us got out of this unscathed, untouched, unmoved, or unaffected. It is our job, as product designers, to start designing for that reality.

When we, as people of color, celebrate Juneteenth, yes we celebrate the end of suffering and bondage our forefathers endured. But greater still, we rejoice as patriots of this great nation whose better ideals continually triumph over our darker angels. And for that, we are proud to call this imperfect country home.