Julie Amira

Repairability is a key component to increasing a product’s lifespan. Unfortunately, most products are not made to be repaired, a consequence of today’s capitalistic society.

My degree project explores the differences in repairing high-tech and low-tech products and aims to draw conclusions about how the technological level of a product is linked to its repairability.

For the high-tech product, I broke down a toaster and studied all of its components. From this, I rebuilt it and as a result designed a toaster that is meant to last, with each part easily repairable.

To create the low-tech product, I collaborated with designer Jonathan Berglund to create a desk that could be disassembled without harm, avoiding screws, nails or any joinery that would damage the wood if rebuilt.

Through the creative process, I learnt that if you repair something yourself, you will develop a stronger emotional attachment to it and therefore create a form of sustainability.