Kaunas University of Technology

Design Centre at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU)

The KTU Design Centre is a hub for academic research, studies, and innovation in the field of design. Its mission is to advance design knowledge and practices that foster sustainable living, contribute to societal well-being, and drive innovation through design services and collaboration with businesses and communities.

The Centre focuses on three strategic research and development areas:

• Design for Circular Economy and New Ways of Living
  This area rethinks how products, services, and systems are created, developed, and used, aiming to align human activity with the regenerative principles of natural ecosystems. By integrating approaches such as biomimicry, the Centre promotes solutions that support long-term ecological balance and minimize waste, fostering nearly zero-waste systems.

• Smart Fashion
  Exploring the intersection of design, technology, and fashion, this area focuses on integrating intelligent technologies into garments and accessories to enhance their function, aesthetics, and user interaction. Smart fashion at KTU goes beyond trends—it envisions clothing that responds to environmental or personal data, improving sustainability and user experience.

• Design for Transitions
  This approach supports systemic change towards more sustainable and equitable futures. It addresses complex societal challenges such as climate change, social inequality, and digital transformation by integrating systems thinking, future studies, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Design for transitions enables the co-creation of new models for living, working, and engaging with our environment.

Through these pillars, the Design Centre actively contributes to shaping design as a strategic tool for innovation, sustainability, and societal transformation.