What role should design and designers play in helping to solve the issues of the 21st century? What is our responsibility?

Based on the average annual human use of resources created by our planet, we need to have about 1.5 planets for the world’s population – for most of us living in this country, it’s closer to 3.

What can designers do?

Stop designing disposable stuff. Start thinking in terms of lifecycle. Become better citizens and better designers.

What is the designers’ role: Help sell stuff or help create change? The presentation helps to see how these two roles are no longer mutually exclusive. Given the reality of where we are today – economically, environmentally, socially – as designers, and as citizens, we have the opportunity to design a new reality.

How do we begin?

By breaking the status quo. By making a business case for more responsible business processes and practices – engaging in discussions about value vs. cost. By trying to have different kind of conversations with our clients, educating ourselves about new materials, techniques and processes to become a resource for alternative solutions.

What will you learn?

Beginning from a high-level overview of sustainability principles and green design philosophy, the presentation walks its audiences through numerous tips, tools and resources that can be instantly implemented in a marketing department or a design practice.

Takeaways

• The overall organizational sustainability strategy and green marketing strategy must be created in tandem, not in silos – help your organization demonstrate its environmental commitment and social purpose through pro bono work, community involvement and responsible business practices.
• Choose who you work with (and for) – align your values with those of your clients and your organizations; work with vendors and suppliers who share the same philosophy of environmental and social responsibility.
• Use certifications and trustmarks to boost credibility of your claims; be authentic, clear and transparent in your claims in order to avoid greenwash; walk the talk.
• Print materials, besides their primary purpose of communicating your organization’s capabilities, can also be used to communicate its environmental commitment.
• Work smarter, more efficiently, use job planning and impact measurement tools and calculators as a part of your decision-making process; view each project through a green lens.
• And many more.

If you are interested in having us speak to your professional association or present at a conference or a seminar, please contact Ida Cheinman.