From the very start of my career in graphic design, I have been striving to express myself through my minimalistic style. Unbeknownst to me, my appreciation of simplicity would be a key element to a sustainable, modern lifestyle in 2021.

I became interested in climate change, pollution, and sustainability because of my interest in minimalism. In discovering how our actions are creating climate change, I began to take steps toward adopting a zero-waste lifestyle. 

I became aware that graphic design roles, for both UX and product designers, are becoming more important and influential than ever before. My design process always keeps the end-user in mind because I am a UX designer at heart. In a world where climate change is happening so rapidly, it is critical that we design our products with nature in mind. Ultimately, everything we create must be geared towards sustainability and be approved by Mother Nature.

Here are five ways to be a more sustainable designer in 2021:

1. Avoid participating in greenwashing

   "Greenwashing" refers to the practice of advertising eco-friendly features without actually having sustainable attributes. A company that greenwashes its customers is one that misleads its consumers about its sustainability or their products. To suggest that their products are eco-friendly, brands often use greenery and natural images. This article provides more details about greenwashing. 

   When it comes to these questionable practices within design, you should think twice, and if possible, avoid participating. What a company is transparent about speaks volumes about its ethics and intentions. By talking to potential clients about their sustainable efforts, you will strengthen your conscious design position.

2. Try to work for companies who are transparent

   Our role as designers and employees is to contribute to sustainable practices by working for businesses that are sustainable and eco-friendly or at least considering them. 

   There's no question that choosing your employer is a privilege, but if you have the means and the freedom, take advantage. It is generally assumed that working for a company that cares about the environment also cares about their employees. Hence, both parties benefit. 

   We promote an environment-conscious society with this small change, which in turn leads to a shift in workplace culture and discourages unethical business practices. Try asking a possible employer, "What is your company doing with regard to the global climate crisis?" the next time you are interviewing. 

   Even though a plan or strategy is an excellent place to start, it is often not enough; make sure there are also actions and transparency with the public.

3. Take accountability for your energy consumption

   Monitoring your energy conceptions is essential to becoming a sustainable designer. Technology and tools are often used to design projects that consume large quantities of power over time. Monitor your energy use in order to identify areas for improvement. 

   A simple act such as unplugging equipment at the wall after use, or modifying settings within devices can have a large impact. Consider using your team's power needs to be met by renewable energy if you work in a large facility. 

4. Consider your equipment and office waste

   To reduce your resource usage and prevent waste, space should be used as efficiently and effectively as possible. In addition to requiring less energy to heat and cool, a smaller space discourages extra materials from piling up. When you limit your workspace, you'll be more mindful of the tools you need. Switching to energy-efficient equipment should be a top priority when purchasing new equipment. 

   As far as supplies are concerned, make sure that only a minimal amount of offcuts and waste ends up in the printer. Look for ways to get the desired effect with the least amount of colour and ink or if the materials you already have can be reused. 

5. Adopt a Low Waste Lifestyle and Respect the 5 Rs

   My transition to low waste has greatly reduced my overall impact on the environment. If you are interested in learning more, consider scrolling through my other blog posts to find resources that can help get you started. 

   As for the 5 R’s, they are: Refuse. Reduce. Reuse. Repurpose. Recycle. 

   A designer can incorporate the 5Rs into their daily lifestyle by implementing the following. 

   1. Refuse: Don't waste your time and energy on products and tools that you don't need. Before you buy it, ask yourself if you actually need it.

   2. Reduce: Limit your possessions and eliminate non-recyclable, hazardous, and wasteful items from your life. Having three monitors is not necessary. Two of them are great. Ask yourself questions like: how long has it been since you last used a notepad exclusively?

   3. Reuse: Instead of buying new items, reuse items throughout the workplace.

   4. Repurpose: Anytime you can, repurpose what you have. I am repurposing my older computer which became slow in time as I was working on it. Instead of recycling, I will give it to my parents, who use it exclusively for social media and viewing movies.

   5. Recycle: Electronics and old hardware should be recycled. You can find recycling centers near you by doing a quick internet search. In some cases, the brands themselves run recycling programs that offer money back.

   You should make sure that sustainability is considered in your design process. I would love to hear what other sustainable design ideas you have! Please be sure to share in the comments!

Hey, Claudia here

I am a senior graphic designer, a dog mom, an advocate for a zero-waste lifestyle, climate change, and sustainability. My articles are based on personal experience and well researched to give you the best source of information for all things zero-waste.