Designing for the Second-Hand Use of Consumer Goods

Abstract

In this paper, we present results from a research through design inquiry into the design space of second-hand use of consumer goods and their potential for creating more sustainable and less consumerism-oriented lifestyles. These results are presented in the form of an annotated portfolio that is comprised of early conceptual and material explorations along with the final material artefact, Radius – an internet connected tangible artefact that helps make decisions to buy or sell second-hand consumer goods easier to take. By analytically and critically articulating observations and reflections from the constructed portfolio, we expand the existing understanding of this design space along with explicating the knowledge latent within our process. Our reflections offer new directions and insight for future research and design along with making a theoretical contribution to the discourse on knowledge outcomes from research through design in HCI.