Sustainable design practice is a design approach that considers environmental impact. As businesses and brands, you can make mindful choices when it comes to your brand collateral, as these choices can have far-reaching implications.
By incorporating sustainable practices into your design process, you can reduce your carbon footprint and build a positive brand image that resonates with consumers. This can be achieved through careful choices in design materials, sourcing, and even website design that minimises emissions and the usage of natural resources.
Here are some ideas you can consider discussing with your designer to improve your brand’s sustainable image:
Developing a sustainable identity
Work with designers who are committed to sustainability and can help develop a visual identity that accurately conveys your brand's commitment to environmental responsibility. This includes developing and designing a logotype, logo and colour palette that solidifies your brand’s values.
You can also consider revamping an older, existing brand identity to match your pledge for environmental focus by upgrading to a new colour palette and brand assets that can be complemented by sustainable packaging.
Reworking packaging and printing processes
For your audience to recognise your brand’s commitment to sustainability, designing and sourcing packaging that stays true to your messaging is crucial. You and your designer must consider that for printed designs, paper choices, ink and materials can significantly impact their carbon footprint.
Using eco-friendly materials and processes wherever possible, such as printing on recycled or FSC-certified paper, using vegetable-based inks, and choosing packaging materials that can be easily recycled or composted can make a huge difference. Remember to consider the lifecycle of the products or materials being designed, from sourcing to disposal, and ensure that they are as sustainable as possible at each stage.
Considering the footprint of your website design
Brands and designers should follow the best design practices where possible to reduce their digital footprint. Your designer can ensure that the websites created for your brand use the least amount of energy and material resources possible. Keep this in mind when preparing colour palettes, image files and even the code used to build your pages as there is an associated carbon cost that comes with it.
As consumers become more aware of the importance of sustainability, they are more likely to support and engage with brands that share their values. As sustainability increasingly emerges as an urgent issue for consumers, brands can also consider the financial benefit of embedding sustainable business practices. It is important to realise that this is a long-term proposition.
To find out more about how you can make a difference with sustainable design, get in touch with us now.