#design #product #material #2023/ ![[foto conceito_1920.jpg]] the fashion industry is responsible for almost [10% of total carbon emissions](https://unfccc.int/news/un-helps-fashion-industry-shift-to-low-carbon). and less than half of the clothes produced and used are reused or recycled. all of this occurs in the context of irreversible resource depletion that favours satisfying excessive global consumption. this critical project analyses and confronts the public about the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry. faced with this worrying scenario, the question and name of the project arises: _should i exist?_ this questioning represents the dual approach that rethinks production by challenging underlying assumptions. it reflects on whether this product would exist without waste generation; and it evaluates alternatives to extractive chains in the face of the frightening abundance of wasted material. with these considerations, the project consciously involves the consumer, allowing them to obtain a product and acquire knowledge about its production. thus, innovation becomes a common collaborative good, which has the potential to give the user control of knowledge. as a result, alternative consumer awareness is promoted by rethinking expectations of the product and its process. [[should i exist.pdf]] this critical project created for [SCAR-ID](https://scar-id.com/pt-pt/), embodies the spirit of Ivan Illich’s concept of [[conviviality]] by fostering an environment where production and consumption prioritize ecological balance, social equity, and shared knowledge. this project reimagines production questioning whether products can exist without waste generation and exploring alternatives to extractive supply chains. by actively engaging consumers in the production process, it transforms them from passive participants to empowered co-creators. so, it empowers individuals with knowledge and agency, contributing to the creation of systems that support thriving human and ecological communities, fostering a future where production serves both people and the planet.