In today’s product design landscape, we can no longer afford to treat design, production, and post-consumption as separate stages. Instead, we must think in cycles — where every step informs the next, and nothing truly comes to an end.
Let’s break down the circular product cycle:
- Design – Where it begins. We must design not only for beauty and function but for disassembly, reuse, and recyclability.
- Material Sourcing – What are the local, renewable, or biodegradable options? Can we eliminate synthetics or toxic blends?
- Manufacturing – Can the factory support modular construction or low-waste production?
- Retail & Use – How can we sell with intention? Think: product as a service, resell, or rental.
- Product Take-Back – How do we attract users to return old goods? What’s the incentive?
- Reuse & Recycling – Can we remanufacture, rematerialize, or repurpose components?
- Redesign – Feeding learnings back into the next generation of products.
🧠Research Questions to Explore:
- How might we create a fully recyclable fashion item?
- What are the most recyclable or compostable fabrics available locally?
- Can we map out a closed-loop network of suppliers, makers, and recyclers by region?
- What economic model can make this viable for small brands?
- What tech or logistics systems can track and support the take-back loop?
- How do we calculate the environmental and financial flow of each step? (Think: product carbon footprint, cost per cycle.)
đź’Ž Designing for Eternity: Circular Thinking in High-End Jewellery
When we talk about circular design, we often think of basics like fashion, furniture, or fast-moving consumer goods. But what about luxury? Can circularity live in a world of elegance, rarity, and timeless beauty?
As a designer and creative partner of Dada Siela, a high-end jewellery brand inspired by soulful connections, I’ve been reflecting deeply on how we can build a brand that not only looks exquisite but also lasts — emotionally, materially, and environmentally.
🌍 What is Circular Design?
At its core, circular design is about creating closed loops — where a product’s life doesn’t end in disposal, but begins a new cycle.
Most product journeys go something like this:
- Design
- Material Sourcing
- Manufacturing
- Retail / Use
- End-of-Life (usually: landfill)
But in a circular journey, we gather, reuse, redesign, and go again:
Design → Make → Sell → Take Back → Reuse → Back to Design
And yes, this can absolutely apply to luxury jewellery.
✨ Circular Design for Dada Siela: A Vision
Here’s how we’re beginning to think about it:
1. Design for Longevity
- Our pieces are timeless and modular, ready to be loved for generations.
- Think detachable elements, convertible necklaces, and modern heirlooms.
2. Ethical, Traceable Materials
- We source our materials ethically and use recycled metals and lab-grown stones.
- Every piece tells a story of where it comes from — and where it’s going.
3. Luxury with a Loop
- We’re exploring a Jewellery Revival Program: customers can return their pieces for:
- Refurbishment
- Resale
- Redesign
4. Conscious Packaging
- Our packaging is more than a box — it’s a keepsake and travel companion.
- Reusable, recyclable, and designed to live on.
5. Storytelling for a Circular Future
- Every piece will come with a digital story, including a certificate of origin, a record of ownership, and a history of any repairs or upgrades.
- This creates not just transparency, but intimacy with the brand.
đź’ Why It Matters
Luxury is no longer just about what we own, but also about how we relate to it. By thinking circularly, Dada Siela isn’t just designing products. We’re designing meaning, memory, and movement — jewellery that returns, revives, and reminds.
Exploring what the best flow is for new ways in going about the world we are in now!
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