The Circular Design Research course at Georgia Institute of Technology explores design, innovation and sustainability within the aviation industry, with opportunities to research emerging technologies and materials.

This course focuses on the principles of a circular economy and examines how design, innovation, and sustainability intersect within the aviation industry.

Students will explore emerging trends, technologies, and materials that are shaping the future of air travel, while addressing critical challenges such as carbon reduction, circularity and human-centred design.

Through creative problem-solving, students will propose innovative strategies that meet industry needs while promoting circularity and environmental stewardship.

This study serves as a foundation for future aviation design studies, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary, international and integrated educational approaches and promoting sustainable aviation practices.

School: Georgia Institute of Technology, College of Design, School of Industrial Design
Course: Circular Design Research
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Course dates: January to May 2027
Application deadline: 15 January 2027

Find out more about the course and apply ›

What will I learn during this course?

– Foundation knowledge – understanding the foundational concepts of a circular economy and its relevance to industrial design. Identifying and analysing the specific challenges the aviation industry faces regarding sustainability and circularity. Students will examine current and emerging trends in materials, technologies and design strategies impacting the future of air travel
– Aviation Industry – understanding the diversity of phenomena investigated, research methods, and data types to create innovative solutions that promote sustainability in aviation
– Integrate advanced design research – exploring new materials, technologies, and circular design practices that can improve sustainability and human-centred design in aircraft interior design, operations and passenger services
– Collaboration – bringing together various stakeholders, including airlines, manufacturers, researchers, and design experts, to foster collaboration and share best practices in sustainable aviation
– Innovative solutions – developing innovative approaches to reducing the environmental impact of air travel, such as lightweight materials and energy-efficient products and systems. Emphasise the importance of human-centred design in creating solutions that enhance the passenger experience while promoting sustainability
– Strategies for Circularity Design – formulating actionable strategies for integrating circular principles into aviation design processes

What are the requirements?

– Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in industrial design or a related field

What facilities and resources are available?

– Classes are held in the School of Industrial Design, which includes collaborative spaces equipped for co-design workshops and project development

What career prospects can I expect upon graduating?

Graduates of the course are well-positioned for careers in human-centred, industrial, service and sustainable design innovation grounded in circular design research.

Students investigated various research methods and tools to understand three key stakeholder groups in aviation: passengers, onboard crew and ground crew.

Who teaches this course?

– EunSook Kwon, professor of the School of Industrial Design at Georgia Tech
– Herb Velazquez, professor of the Practice of the School of Industrial Design at Georgia Tech

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