Designing for sustainability
There is a sustainability revolution going on, and product developers, especially designers are perfectly placed to lead the charge.
The evolving marketplace needs products and services that have been designed to reduce environmental impacts throughout the entire production and distribution lifecycle of the product. Design for Sustainability (D4S) strategies make this possible without compromising the form and function of products.
Around 80% of a product's environmental impacts are locked in at the design stage. It's essential to incorporate environmental considerations into good design practice and everyday products - from toasters to sofas, mobile phones to computers, office chairs to office buildings.
Design for Sustainability program
Product development and design professionals are supported through the Design for Sustainability program to address environmental impacts of a product at the design stage.
Decision makers, especially senior managers and marketers are encouraged to work with designers to ensure products are sustainably designed and that the sustainable features of their products are marketed. Marketers are in an especially influential decision-making position - they can connect brands and companies to the emotional values that sit within the sustainability context.
The program aims to inspire sustainable thinking across the entire product lifecycle through programs and resources that build capacity, engage with the commercial and industrial sector, and showcase D4S products.
D4S initiatives include:
- regular forums
- professional development courses
- pilot projects and partnerships
- funding development of design tools
- sponsorship of events and design awards
- showcasing of leading sustainably designed products.
D4S principles
Sustainable products are designed to:
- minimise the consumption of materials, energy and water
- avoid toxic or hazardous materials and production processes
- cycle materials continuously through industrial or natural systems to avoid waste
- keep product environmental information accurate and verifiable.
