Circular design plays a central role on the way to a viable circular economy. In order to provide actors in the product development process with a simple set of rules for the design of circular products, the Institute of Design Research Vienna has developed the Circular Design Rules.

Design Revolution Now! advocates for bold, transformative design practices that address urgent global challenges. It pushes for innovation that prioritizes sustainability, equity, and social impact, aiming to reshape industries and improve lives through responsible, forward-thinking design.

Regenerative design creates systems that restore, renew, and revitalize their own energy sources and materials. It focuses on minimizing environmental impact, enhancing sustainability, and fostering positive interactions between nature and human-made systems for a thriving future.

Tools for the Design Revolution empowers designers with innovative resources to create sustainable, impactful solutions. It provides strategies, techniques, and technologies to drive positive change, enabling a shift towards more ethical, regenerative, and responsible design practices.

Design History explores the evolution of design across time, highlighting key movements, styles, and innovators. It examines how social, cultural, and technological changes have shaped design practices, providing valuable insights into the past to inspire the future of design.

The city factory is a »real time« research lab for new files in the creative economy that concentrates on discovering and revealing future urban potential in Vienna.

Institute of Design Research Vienna

The non-profit scientific association contributes to interdisciplinary and disciplinary discussions on social and ecological responsibility in design. The IDRV was founded in spring 2008 and carries out research and educational projects ranging from academic contributions to artistic activism.

(1.1) Workshop Series: Circular Crafts

Upcoming Workshop

Circular Design Rules

04 and 11 July, 15:00–18:00
part of Hof der Kulturen,
Volkskundemuseum Wien

(1.2) CDR Installation at WE/TRANS/FORM

Upcoming Exhibition

Circular Design Rules

On the Future of Building
6 June 2025 – 25 January 2026
Bundeskunsthalle Bonn

(1.4) Final Report of the Circular Design RTI Project

Publication

Circular Design Rules

Circular Design - Getting from theory into practice

RTI Circular Economy

(1.5) Design with a Purpose at Weissraum Designforum Tirol

Exhibition

Circular Design Rules

11 March–11 April 2025
Weissraum Designforum Tirol

Andreas-Hofer-Straße 27, 6020 Innsbruck

(3.1) Regenerative Design Lab at Angewandte

Lecture

Regenerative Design

Lecture cooperation with Vitra
summer semester 2025
University for Applied Art Vienna

IDRV appointed as Lead Project VIENNA 2030

News

News

WIEN 2030
Economy & Innovation

(1.8) Ramp Talk and Opening of FEZ24

ExhibitionTalk

Circular Design Rules

11 October 2024
17:00 Ramp Talk
18:30 Exhibition Opening
Spinnergasse 1, Campus V
6850 Dornbirn

(3.10) Essay: When Design Inspires Purpose

Publication

Regenerative Design

Essay by Ronja Grossar
as part of the exhibition catalogue
»Design With a Purpose«

free pdf download

(1.14) Circular Design Rules V 2.0 web tool

PublicationTool

Circular Design Rules

free of charge
cdr.tools

(2.2) A Designers Toolbox for Revolution

ExhibitionWorkshop

Design Revolution Now!

20–29 September 2024
VIENNA DESIGN WEEK Festival Headquarters Landstraßer Gürtel 51, 1030 Wien

(3.9) Regenerativ Design Principles

Publication

Regenerative Design

27th April – 23rd June
Kunstgewerbemuseum Berlin

(3.6) IMAGINE: Regenerative Design - Perspectives in Dialogue

Workshop

Regenerative Design

4 November 2024
17:00–20:00
Kunstgewerbemuseum Berlin
Matthäikirchplatz, 10785 Berlin