Personally, I do not know how to design with an environmental mindset yet. I feel that every single way we live is somehow damaging a part of the environment. Everything from using the internet, printing, painting, anything that has to do with my methods of coming up with little doo-dads and logos are going to kill a minuscule part of our beloved planet. Hopefully, in the coming times, I will learn of various ways to better help my designs ethically. If I worked for myself I would make sure all of my paper is approved to be environmentally grown, cut, and manufactured, I would also use inks that are approved and would not be dumped into our beautiful waters, stuff like that would add up and hopefully my “design footprint” would be less than it is now.
Designers can also spread awareness about climate change and sustainability through social design. I feel that designers have a great deal of responsibility in spreading awareness on environmental issues as well as taking these challenges head-on with various methods of design and manufacturing. Designers have the power to spread awareness about these topics through many mediums, such as social media, posters, blogs, videos, and many other mediums.
I guess something that can be considered a piece of design is the work of Patagonia. I love their outlooks on sustainability and that they are always checking themselves on their past mistakes. I remember one year they ran an ad (which they rarely do) in a huge national paper with a picture of one of their jackets and in huge bold letters saying “Don’t buy this jacket”. They were trying to urge the average American consumer to only buy Patagonia products (and probably other products) when they are absolutely needed. They also champion reliability, repairing old items, and ethical manufacturing methods. They introduced these nearly 30 years ago and were immediately criticized by the media and other clothing brands, but Patagonia stuck through the possible financial struggles of more expensive manufacturing progress and eventually made a perfect name for themselves in the name of quality gear and clothing.
Overall, I feel that the human race will somehow come through the problems of climate change. I mean, who doesn’t love a Cinderella story? I love an underdog, and I feel that it is a huge privilege to be alive when we possibly can accomplish the biggest upset of all: saving our asses.
