Planetary Design: Moving Beyond Human-Centered Approaches
Sheng-Hung Lee, an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan and head of the d-mix lab, recently discussed Planetary Design in an article for DesignWanted. He drew on insights from a workshop he attended in 2026 with Satu Miettinen. Lee stressed that design must tackle ecological issues, linking this to his Design for Longevity (D4L) project. He referenced Kate Raworth's Doughnut Economics and identified three significant shifts in design thinking: moving from user-centric to system-centric approaches, valuing long-term effects over short-term demands, and redefining the relationship between humans and the environment. He showcased these ideas with TetraPOT, a 2016 collaboration with Wan Kee Lee, and introduced a new course, 'Design for Longevity Across Scale: Product, Service, and City' (UT402).
Key facts
- Sheng-Hung Lee is Assistant Professor of Urban Technology at the University of Michigan and Director of the d-mix lab.
- The article was prompted by a workshop with Satu Miettinen in Singapore in 2026.
- Lee references Kate Raworth's Doughnut Economics framework.
- TetraPOT was developed in 2016 with Wan Kee Lee at IDEO.
- TetraPOT reimagines concrete wave breakers to support mangrove growth.
- IDEO's 'flight system' includes pre-flight, mid-flight, and post-flight conversations.
- Lee is offering a course 'Design for Longevity Across Scale: Product, Service, and City' (UT402) at the University of Michigan.
- The course is developed with the Dexter Senior Center in Michigan.
- Audrey G. Bennett's P-model of design is cited.
- The article was published on DesignWanted.
Entities
Artists
- Sheng-Hung Lee
- Satu Miettinen
- Kate Raworth
- Wan Kee Lee
- Ezio Manzini
- Audrey G. Bennett
- Susan Leigh Star
- James R. Griesemer
Institutions
- University of Michigan
- d-mix lab
- IDEO
- Dexter Senior Center
- DesignWanted
- Doughnut Economics Action Lab
- Meals on Wheels
Locations
- Singapore
- Taiwan
- Malaysia
- China
- Michigan
- Ann Arbor District Library
- United States