The role of sustainability in design
It’s time for designers worldwide to adapt and innovate for a greener world
Text: Rebecca Morais
ROKKI (credit: Von Morgen)
In recent years, sustainability has become a focal point in many industries. As more of us begin to recognize and acknowledge that there is an urgent need to save our planet, the topic of sustainability will continue to be a part of many conversations around us, and we must adapt to the new demands of the movement.
How is this relevant to the world of design? And how can designers worldwide do their part for the planet?
Like the rest of the world, sustainability is a dialogue that the design world must and should participate in. In an interview by The Artling with designers working in sustainable design firms, many of them felt that it is only right for them to help raise awareness of what’s happening to our planet and the efforts that can be made to slow down or prevent the environmental destruction around us. As Aurore Piette, self-proclaimed Craftswoman of the sea who develops Sustainable Design & Contemporary Craft from discarded maritime and local materials, put it: “(designers) have responsibilities as precursor of the production and consumption systems”.
Though the method of producing design pieces with reusable materials or through environmentally-friendly means is relatively new in the design world, in actual fact, sustainability is not an entirely foreign concept to designers. Another meaning to ‘sustainable design’ also refers to the quality, usability and reasoning of the products. Something that is long-lasting, user-friendly, and adds meaning in the user’s life is also considered to be ‘sustainable’. At the end of the day, to create good, sustainable design is to be mindful of the overall intention and purpose of the product. And in today’s context, this also means to take into account the current state of our planet and what path designers would like to pave for the future ahead. This additional thinking process might require designers to forget about familiar words such as: shape, colour, hype, trend or fashion. Instead, as Italian designer Tellurico advises, they will need to “focus only on the production process analysing deeply and question them. (For) only like that, can they arrive at a new sustainable solution for our planet.”
As the world progresses into a new age of sustainability, designers alike will need to innovate new methodologies and ideas for their products to keep up. If you’re a designer looking to incorporate sustainability into your work, below are some common design principles that might be able to guide you through the process:
· Use non-toxic, sustainably produced, or recycled materials – lower environmental impact than traditional materials.
· Use manufacturing processes and produce products – more energy efficient than traditional processes and end products.
· Build longer-lasting and better-functioning products – can be replaced less frequently, reducing the environmental impact of producing replacements.
· Design products for reuse and recycling – make them easy to disassemble so that the parts can be reused to make new products.
· Consult sustainable design standards and guides, (e.g. Design for the Environment),
· Consider product life cycle – use life cycle analysis tools to help you design more sustainable products.
· Shift the consumption mode from personal ownership of products to provision of services which provide similar functions.
· Materials should come from nearby, sustainably managed renewable sources that can be composted when their usefulness is exhausted.
Click here for more The Soothe articles on Sustainability and Green Living.
2. Add a splash of colour
Colour can go a long way in brightening the atmosphere and improving the overall look of your rooms. On top of that, there are also many fun ways to incorporate it. Take a weekend to explore the best local flower stores to spruce up your space with a beautiful bouquet or add a bit of style with some new homeware and decor. Including art pieces is also a wonderful means to add a touch of personality to your home – have fun hunting down the perfect piece or, if you’re willing to put in the time, creating one yourself is always an option.
3. Change your lighting
A study in 2015, involving a group of elderly participants, found that lighting had the ability to lift negative moods. A key aspect in home design, lighting plays a huge role in the ambiance and atmosphere of your home. When considering lighting, it is important to consider that brightness, hue, saturation and the direction of light all play a part in influencing emotions and transforming spaces. For example, a sense of privacy and intimacy can be evoked through low-level lighting positioned at activity areas with minimal perimeter lighting along the rest of the space.
4. Introduce a new scent
Incorporating a new scent can leave your home feeling fresher and cleaner instantly. While there are numerous ways to make your house smell amazing, we would recommend using natural products and methods instead of bringing out the hard chemicals. Essential oils offer a wonderful aroma and adding a few drops into your diffuser will fill your room with their fragrance, providing the perfect scents to help you unwind and relax. Other options– such as scented candles and wax melts– can also be considered.
5. Create a gallery wall
Besides functioning as a means of shelter, your home is also an expression of yourself. And what better way to exemplify this than to dedicate a whole wall to yourself. Whether you would like to feature photographs of treasured memories, posters you might have collected in the past, or the collection of keepsakes you’ve curated from previous travels, a gallery wall is a fun and exciting way to add touches of your unique personality to your abode.
