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I
love design as it holds the potential not only to affect change
but it also embodies many different interests in my life. I thrive
off the challenge of problem solving and creating more efficient solutions.
I am inspired by colour, tactility and people (especially the
kind of people who aren't afraid to have fun!). Nature has always been
a constant inspiration to me. For as long as I can remember, I've been
passionate about the outdoors and I am known to be an annoyingly avid
recycler.
As someone who enjoys to create, I have become increasingly aware
that humanity produces a lot of goods and materials for consumption
and if I am going to contribute to this, I want to make a conscious
effort to create more sustainable goods.
My goal as a designer is to create effective solutions while
mitigating risk of environmental harm. The more
I learn about my industry, the more I believe that I can use my
design skills
to affect a more sustainable future. I am inspired by the belief
that we, as designers, have the potential to make decisions and
influence others
to change processes and reverse our negative impact on the earth.
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Preview
and edit thoroughly. Be sure to use spell check and carefully
read over your document to be sure it's correct before
printing.
Minimize waste. Consider previous use and project
objectives. How
has this been done in the past? Was this effective? What was
wasted?
Design for Reuse. Can your piece or product have
more than one use? Once a display comes down, how easy is it to
reuse or recycle the pieces?
Consider
Lifecycles. How long will your piece need to be used
for? Temporary print pieces and displays should
be made with more temporary materials.
Green Printing. Choose FSC
certified printers and ask for vegetable-based
inks when possible. Ask your printer to help make a project less
wasteful – they
might have suggestions you would never think of.
Use eco-friendly papers. Choose papers with some
recycled content and/or FSC certification. Talk to your printer
and/or paper representative to come up with a cost-effective
and practical option.
Make it lighter. Consider the use and lifecycle
of your printed piece. For example, does
it need its
own envelope or can it be a self-mailer? Does your
brochure need to be on cardstock?
Consider Digital. Discuss the need
for a printed piece to see if it can’t be replaced
or enhanced with something digital (e-vites, websites,
e-newsletters)
Shop Locally. Choose local vendors that use renewable
energy, offer recycling programs, favor non-toxic
materials and
environmentally friendly processes. By going local,
you save energy and money
on transportation and support the local economy.
Share your ideas. Encourage others to design sustainably,
compare notes and seek to find better solutions together.
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