Best Practices to design sustainably

according to Eric Benson, assistant professor of graphic design at the University of Illinois and founder of re-norish.com

Best Practices to Design Sustainably

Creating sustainable pieces should begin at the start of the design process. First, the designer must determine if the project deserves to exist in a tangible form. To do this, the designer should ask the following questions:

• Is this the best method to communicate the message?
• What is the impact of making this piece?
• How can we lessen the impact if we print this piece?

After this initial discussion.....follow these 5 sustainable principles...

• Respect and care for the community
• Improve the quality of life
• Conserve Earth's vitality and diversity
• Minimize the depletion of nonrenewable resources
• Change personal attitudes and practices to keep with the planet's carry capacity

Each of these principle, in turn, encourage the designer to make the following, more conscious, design decisions:

• Design for re-use/longevity

• Design Cyclically, not linearly

• Choose recycled/non toxic materials

• Minimize waste ( e.g., use entire paper sheet)

• Minimize ink coverage

• Choose local vendors that use renewable energy and empty socially equitable and environmentally friendly business practices

• Educate consumers about the life cycle issues through message/marketing

• Encourage others to design sustainably