Sustainability and graphic design

From renourish.com

We know the world's problems aren't ours to solve alone. But the graphic design industry is experiencing its own dramatic changes, and designers are quickly discovering that each decision we make is a stepping stone, moving our entire industry toward more sustainable solutions.

Prior to the 1990s, for example, it was difficult to imagine the graphic designer moving beyond print. But then came the internet. What lies ahead as we're faced with a dwindling pool of resources to work with? Should we sit back and hope others solve these problems so our industry can survive? Or is it possible that designers might have a few of the answers ourselves? It's a challenging yet potentially thrilling design problem.

Step 1: Plan for sustainability

Clients often ask us for a specific deliverable without ever addressing whether or not it's the most appropriate approach. This gives designers the opportunity to guide clients to better solutions that are both environmentally responsible and more effective. But the only way to do this is to look at the big picture first:

• Identify project goals
  What must this project accomplish? How does it intend to do so?
• Explore potential impacts
  How might these goals impact the various stakeholders the project will interact with (including client, designer, vendors, and audiences)? How might those goals impact the biological environment?
• Assess project goals
  Do the goals conform to sustainable design standards? Are the goals measurable?

Step 2: Identify potential impacts

What resources will be needed to make the project happen?

• Raw materials
  Print projects, for example, require the use of trees and other materials.
• Manufacturing and assembly
  Binding, for example, might require staples, thread, and/or glue.
• Energy
  Transportation of materials and people, manufacturing, etc., all require energy.
• Transportation
  Tracking the flow of materials can help ease timelines and environmental impact.
• Labor
  Be aware of fair trade and labor issues to prevent problems down the road.

What will the project leave behind?

Look for ways to reduce the amount of waste produced, as well the nature (toxicity) of it.

• Materials waste
  Excessive print runs, costly reprints, poor inventory control, etc.
• Manufacturing waste
  Solvents and cleaners, paper bleaching, makereadies and paper proofs, etc.
• Greenhouse gas emissions
  Manufacturing processes, shipping of materials, etc.

How will the project be used in the real world?

Perhaps one of the most effective ways to make your project more sustainable is to look at the project's entire life cycle. Consider the purpose of the design, how it will be used by people, and what will happen to it once it's disposed of.

• How will the project be delivered to end-users?
• How will the project impact individuals and communities?
• Will the project require additional energy or materials use when it reaches end-users?
• How will the project be disposed of? Can it be recycled or composted? Will users know to do so?

Step 3: Design for sustainability

Design for materials reduction

Sustainable design often starts with a smaller footprint overall. Ask yourself the following:

• Can it be smaller?
• Can it be made with fewer components?
• Can it be made from scrap materials?
• Can it be made with recycled content materials?
• Can you produce fewer finished pieces altogether?
• Can it take a different/less physical (e.g. digital) form?

Design for health and safety issues

From loggers to factory workers to recyclers, we often forget about the people involved in the manufacturing chain.

• Can it be made with nontoxic (or less toxic) materials?
• Can it be made with renewable materials?
• Can components, as well as the finished product, be made without exploiting or physically harming workers?

Design for end of life

Creating products with longevity means fewer materials in the landfill.

• Can it be made to last longer?
• Can it be made to be reused (for the same purpose, or for a new purpose)?
• Can it be composted or recycled when the user is done with it? How will they know?
• Does it conform to common municipal disposal systems (e.g. is it easily disassembled