Most modern products are designed to be thrown away when they break — glued seams, hidden fasteners, and proprietary parts make repairs nearly impossible. Makers can change that by designing for disassembly from the start.
This means using screws instead of nails, avoiding permanent adhesives where possible, and thinking ahead about how parts will be replaced or recycled.
A chair built with bolted joints can be repaired or flat-packed for moving. A lamp with a standard bulb fitting will work for decades. Designing for disassembly is about respecting the lifecycle of your creation and the resources it consumes.
It’s a mindset that benefits the user, the environment, and the maker’s own reputation for thoughtful craftsmanship.