Sustainable Arctic Product Design: Opportunities for Snow Glass Development With Students

One of the key challenges for the future of Arctic design is considering the highly sensitive environment and culture in the Arctic regions. The problem is how to design products in a more sustainable way in the Arctic context. To achieve this, designers need education, skills, and support to create socially and environmentally responsible products (Lofthouse, 2017). Arctic design creates products, services, and systems addressing the unique environmental conditions of the Arctic regions. It centers on a commitment to sustainability and a deep respect for the delicate Arctic environment (Häkkilä & Johansson, 2018, p.33). This examination contributes to the broader discussion on sustainable systems design, particularly tackling challenges posed by climate change.

This study delves into the specifics of Arctic product design, exploring the intersection of nature-based solutions in the potential of snow glass development. The study contributes to the conference's overarching theme, envisioning a harmonious synergy between human creativity and the resilience and opportunities of the Arctic ecosystem. The focus is on designing products within the Arctic context, emphasizing the importance of sustainable design practices and the role of students in shaping the future of Arctic product design.

Firstly, University of Lapland´s Art and Design students (n=184) were surveyed from 2021 to 2023, aiming to understand their insights on Arctic product design and potential future directions. Results show, how these products embody authenticity and responsibility through a profound appreciation for nature and sustainable materials. Nature's conditions are an important part of Arctic product design where Arctic materials such as snow can be used in different stages of the design process. In the second part, Arctic glass design was explored, emphasizing its potential for integration with sustainable materials. Arctic glass design is a specific field within the realm of art and design that focuses on the innovative application of glass, incorporating distinctive characteristics and elements related to the Arctic. Study unveiled numerous possibilities to incorporate e.g. snow into glass design process. Thirdly, respondents' insights were gathered on the use, features, distinctions, challenges, opportunities, and definition of an innovative glassblowing technique, snow glass. These perspectives improve understanding when using snow in Arctic glass design. Snow glass is defined here as a type of glass, which is shaped and manipulated in different ways with snow during the hot glass working process. The term does not therefore refer to the aesthetic qualities of glass, such as aiming to resemble the appearance of snow.

The findings reveal that perceptions of Arctic product design are strongly associated with nature and emphasize sustainable and responsible qualities integrated with durable and functional designs. In order to develop Arctic product design, we need to sustain Arctic materials for the future. Therefore, when aiming for sustainable Arctic product design it is essential to minimize climate impact, ensure resource efficiency, respect cultural aspects and meet demands for environmentally responsible products. Applying Arctic materials such as snow in suitable product design processes can meet these demands. This study sparks ongoing dialogue, promoting further investigation into the possibilities of snow glass.