Sustainable Design:
Innovating for a Greener Future
It involves considering the lifecycle of products, from material sourcing to disposal, and designing with long-term impact in mind. By embracing sustainability at every stage, designers can shape a future where both people and the planet thrive. This approach encourages circularity and reuse, creating adaptable, long-lasting products.
Responsible design minimises harm while maximising benefits. It looks at every step of a product’s lifecycle —from material sourcing and production to use and disposal or web hosting— to align with ecological and social goals.
Designers have the power to normalise sustainability. Their creativity can solve environmental challenges, transform industries, and inspire lasting change. From print to digital, every choice should consider its environmental impact. Circular economy principles are essential for holistic, sustainable practices, looking beyond substitution.
Educating, Collaboration and Transparency
Sustainability starts at the strategic level. Before execution, it is key to consider the broader impact of a project. Clients often focus on cost, leading to non-recyclable goods made from mixed materials that complicate recycling. Helping clients understand the value of sustainability in design can help them align environmental care with business goals.Transparency helps everyone make better decisions. By learning about materials and production methods, designers can ensure higher accountability. This builds stronger, trust-based relationships with clients. While digital campaigns seem efficient, they can have hidden energy costs. Print, when done sustainably, can be a lower-impact option using recycled materials and eco-friendly inks.
Collaboration is vital for aligning stakeholders on sustainability goals. Open dialogue fosters shared responsibility and ensures environmental priorities are embedded in projects.
A Guide to ______ing Sustainability
Manifesto conceived at St Bride’s Library
and honed by Pentagram partner Naresh Ramchandani
At ps:Design, we constantly research and investigate how to offer the best solutions to our clients. Our creative director, Servane Vignes, started her journey while studying at the Royal College of Art, where she took part in a year-long research and book project. The project was in collaboration with Pentagram and Thomas.Metthews and explored how sustainable practices can reshape design and knowledge systems. The resulting publication, Manifesto conceived at St Bride’s Library
and honed by Pentagram partner Naresh Ramchandani
A Guide to ______ing Sustainability, was launched alongside an exhibition of related experiments, sponsored by Pureprint.
A Guide to ______ing Sustainability
Launch at Thomas.Matthews’s Studio in London
Launch at Thomas.Matthews’s Studio in London
Reviving lost Knowledge by Servane Vignes.
Publication using print waste from the Royal College of Art.
Publication using print waste from the Royal College of Art.
These projects demonstrate that people are the greatest asset in transforming design practices. Sustainable design is more than reducing harm; it's innovation and responsibility. By considering the environmental impact of each decision, from materials to processes, designers can make a meaningful impact.
ps: Creativity and sustainability go hand in hand, allowing us to design solutions that resonate with both people and the planet