It should be incentivized and accessible for customers to repair first, resell second, donate third, compost fourth, recycle fifth, and trash last. This approach could enable a circular economy that recognizes the finite value of our planet's natural capital.
When fewer, "nicer" items are owned, the owner is incentivized to take greater care of these items, saving the owner time and money and the planet its limited resources. I believe the beauty and emotional significance of quality craftsmanship is vastly undervalued.
Design with, not for. The design industry attracts empathetic people who want a better world, but nobody fully understands the experiences of everyone. I believe maintaining frequent, open-minded dialogue with the target audience is paramount to my success.
No owned product is more valuable than the owner of the hands that made it. I support the fundamentals of corporate social responsibility and I hold the highest respect for companies offering products with thorough life-cycle transparency.
Being receptive to critical feedback and differing ideas is just as important as my own judgment and self-criticism. I strive to maintain humility and open-mindedness when designing in collaborative settings and value these qualities in others as well.
Products designed explicitly for its user's physical health can justifiably use non-regenerative materials and practices when necessary: Single-use syringes, bandages, sterilization equipment, easily-cleanable thermoplastic surfaces, medication.