5 Tips for Designing a Visual Identity with Sustainability in Mind

Unlock Your Design Potential: Transform Overwhelming Sustainability Challenges into Creative Opportunities!

Sustainable design for me means a positive contribution - to society and the planet. Knowing where to start with sustainability can be overwhelming, as there's no one-size-fits-all solution; it requires innovation, research, and tailored approaches to each project. Us designers, with our creative mindset and problem-solving skills, can have a significant positive impact.

1. Have Confidence in Your Creativity

Starting sustainable design might seem a bit daunting at first, mainly because there's no single answer that suits every situation.

But the cool thing is, this challenge actually invites us to get creative and dive into exciting creative opportunities. Sustainability truly comes to life with innovative thinking and good old problem-solving. So YOU as a creative, with your open mind and skills for tackling problems, you're the real sustainability superhero! You've got what it takes to customise solutions for every unique challenge and project, using your creativity as a superpower to push sustainability forward and conquer those tricky issues we're up against.

2. Invest in Research and Avoid Greenwashing

As sustainability is such a vast subject, it helps to decide what issues you or your client most want to tackle from a sustainability perspective. The United Nations has a framework for a better and more sustainable future for all, called the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs. It has 17 goals and they address the global challenges we face, including those relating to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.

You can use these SDGs as a brainstorming tool - go through each of the goals and think about how you or your project could relate to each to find your area of focus.

3. Reduce Your Environmental Footprint

This is about our direct impact on the environment. Embrace Sustainable Materials: pay attention to factors like paper selection, the number of printed copies, and your supply chain. Choosing sustainable materials can significantly reduce your environmental impact. Delve into environmentally-friendly production techniques such as using sustainable materials like bamboo, debossing, and die-cutting. These methods can reduce your design's environmental footprint.

4. Expand Your Environmental Brainprint

This is about our indirect impact on the environment we have, by influencing others. Think beyond your individual work and consider how your ideas and influence can make a broader impact. Advocate for sustainability in your projects, educate yourself on the latest developments, and find creative ways to incorporate sustainability even when it's not explicitly requested. Could you collaborate with someone to amplify your message?
Could you make your idea scalable so it has a bigger impact?

5. Find a Mentor and a Supportive Community

Join me in my Domestika course, "Sustainable Visual Identities: Create Positive Impact", where we'll embark on a journey to create visual identities that not only captivate but also make a positive impact on society and the environment. Together, we'll navigate the exciting world of sustainable design, crafting visuals that embody the values, aspirations, and culture of brands and organizations.

Connect with fellow designers who share your passion in the forum, and let's spark a conversation about how we, as creatives, can amplify our positive influence. To kickstart your journey, I've prepared a downloadable Sustainable Footprint / Brainprint checklist below, and my course offers a wealth of additional resources to support your growth.

Remember, sustainability is a dynamic endeavor, so keep updating your checklist as you learn and adapt your design practices to align with your evolving sustainability goals. Let's create together!