DIYR: The Do-It-
Yourself-Revolution

Abstract

In times of multiple crises, embracing alternative and sustainable solutions for materials, products, and manufacturing systems becomes increasingly crucial and urgent. Constant improvements and innovations in technology and science, together with consumer demand for the new, encourage an ever-growing production of electronic goods, consequently leading to a broad and multi-levelled scope of problems. While incremental growth follows unsustainable production patterns, the democratisation of technology on the contrary gives rise to contrasting paradigms and ways of production that could shift the power back to the consumer. Starting from the principles of transparency and openness, the Do-It-Yourself-Revolution (DIYR) project aims for a more sustainable product world, where environmentally conscious production raises the value and care for things while at the same time formulating a new contemporary product language. This project aims to create novel products and product ecosystems with a localised production focus, wherein users are motivated to transition into proDusers (producer-users). This transformation is facilitated through instruction, acquiring additional knowledge, and cultivating skills via immersion in the worlds of making, crafting, and design.