This is an exploratory thesis that works to provide the designer with a tool to generate Eco-products. In the beginning the thesis lays out an argument about the need for such a tool. I have engaged in observation and participatory research to understand the nuances of the design process. After which a survey study was conducted to find out the perceptions among young design students about attributes that contribute to sustainable living.
Based on the research, a new process tool, STEM (Scenario, Task, Experience, Materials) was developed. The process of eco-design would take a systems approach by starting the design process with scenario thinking. The other Phases of the design tool are Task analysis, Experience and Material selection. STEM would operate with sustainable attributes that are based on the design requirements and the different phases of the process tool. This ensures that ideas generated out through the process tool would have the Eco-attributes assigned during the process. Through action research, the tool was tested on different groups of students and the results were very promising and inline with what was anticipated. In future, I hope to continue with this research and translate the idea into a physical form.