In summary

  • Swinburne researcher, Dr Charlie Ranscombe, is investigating why the design and material of certain products mean they are appreciated, rather than discarded, as they age
  • This research is inspired by items ranging from brass doorknobs to expensive blue jeans, the rare but diverse objects our society values as they change with wear 
  • The research focuses on making a business case for how design can harness this phenomenon to reduce waste by altering consumer behaviour and increasing the lifespan of products

Why do some objects stay ‘timeless’ and others quickly become ‘old’ or ‘last season’? 

Swinburne researcher, Dr Charlie Ranscombe, is investigating how materials can help products be valued with age, rather than abandoned. 

His research contributes to a growing discussion around waste and how we can alter our perceptions about the ageing of products. 

A novel approach to tackling waste

In a society where fast fashion, trends, and consumerism dominate our lives, products are often discarded the minute their novelty subsides. 

“As people, we have a desire for new things. If something looks a bit tired, we think it’s an excuse to buy something more,” Dr Ranscombe said.

Despite this common mindset, there are certain things consumers value as they age, based on their material, design, and production.  

For example, a quality briefcase might be kept for years, the ageing appearance of its leather only adding to its appeal. 

Products like this one inspired Dr Ranscombe to study and recreate this phenomenon. 

“The question arises, what do we need to do, in terms of design, to get people to perceive ageing of more everyday products in the way they would denim or leather?”

“We are looking at how the aesthetics and material of a product can change people’s behaviour.” 

Sustainability in design

At the heart of this research is a desire to tackle the waste culture that permeates our society and contributes to the growing issues of landfill, resource shortage, emissions and more.  

“As you own a product, it becomes less novel, and that’s what drives people to buy more things,” Dr Ranscombe said.

“If we can sustain novelty or slow down the decrease in novelty – that’s a huge win in terms of sustainability”. 

Creating novelty through unique ageing would be an innovative way to encourage people to hold onto products for longer and thus reduce waste. 

“We’re hoping to find evidence that shows people will enjoy this – that they can like ageing”. 

“Until there’s evidence, businesses won’t believe that something ageing can be a good thing. The default position is that it’s bad”.

The road ahead

Research conducted so far has shown that novel design, as well as material, is likely to be a key factor in having people recognise a product’s ageing as a unique and exciting process. 

“The design needs to be different. The owner needs to recognise, at the point of purchase, that this is a unique thing,” said Dr Ranscombe. 

“We need to walk a tightrope in terms of creating something which still has mass appeal but is different enough that people will perceive ageing in a positive, rather than negative way.” 

Research like this is a chance for each of us to consider what makes us throw things away and what we might be instead able to find a new appreciation for. 

“Sustainability is always more successful when it’s driven by society,” said Dr Ranscombe. “So, if we can get that change on a societal level, that would be really exciting”. 

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