Strategic Partners
Westlake Marketing Works - experts in green and sustainable marketing
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Create Change | Global warming is an issue we
cannot ignore any more. It's our responsibilty as designers
to look in the mirror and face it where we are part of the
problem, and how we can become a part of the solution.
As designers we are well aware
that we produce a lot of waste. As such, we are in a unique spot
to create change. In America alone, designers purchase or specify
$9.1 billion in printing and paper annually. When you create
that much demand for such resource-intensive products and services
you have an opportunity and responsibility
to make a difference.
 We
have signed up with Design Can Change (DCC), a collaboration
of designers committed to sustainable design and work flow.
To
learn more about Design Can Change click here
Change starts by
asking questions
We are discussing a variety of options with our clients emphasizing those issues:
do we need to send a print mailing, or can we accomplish the same online? How
does Pantone so and so looks on chlorine free stock, printed with vegetable
colors? How can we reduce paper proofs, couriers, print outs, faxes, etc...
Those are just a few examples of how we can incorporate "green" guidelines
in our work flow. To learn more about what we as designers can do to change
things please click the links below.
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Guidelines for eco-design
PRé Consultants outlines a series of key considerations involved in product
design. Although it’s not specific to graphic design, the points outlined
are just as applicable to our practice. Review
the guidelines.
AIGA Center for Sustainable Design
This site is dedicated to providing designers with a wide range of information
regarding sustainable business practice. Through case studies, interviews, resources
and discourse, the site encourages and supports designers as they incorporate
sustainable thinking into their professional lives. Find
out more.
Advancing
Sustainable Lifestyles through Marketing and
Communications
This hefty PDF from the UNEP and Utopies presents the argument that marketing
can play a key role in encouraging sustainable consumption. The report reviews
the opportunity, features case studies and suggests how others can do the same. Start
reading the PDF (5.5 MB).
Cradle to Cradle design
GreenBlue is a nonprofit Institute that facilitates opportunities for implementing
sustainability. Their primer on cradle to cradle design presents a new paradigm
for design thinking, concentrated on creating items that work in concert with
nature. More
on cradle to cradle.
Environmental Leadership in the Paper Supply Chain
This trend report by Markets Initiative is the first comprehensive review of
the “greenward” shift that is taking place within Canada’s
publishing industries and other major paper consuming sectors across North
America. View
the PDF (1.3 MB)
Green Design
In May of 2005, Communication Arts’s cover story was on green design.
If you missed it, visit their online version of the piece. The article contains
a small gallery highlighting green design projects and the methods they employed. Take
a quick read.
Growing Pains
Kristin Johnson reviews some of the discussion that took place at the AIGA’s
GROW conference, in March 2006. In it she reiterates the tone of the event,
some of the questions that were raised, and even provides a couple of useful
links. Link to the review.
Overview of sustainability
In this Design Council article, Beatrice Otto of the World Business Council
for Sustainable Development explains how sustainable design can offer opportunities
for business improvement, without compromising our environment. Read
the article.
Print Design and Environmental Responsibility
This wonderful little resource, made available by the AIGA, serves as a primer
for print designers wishing to become more sustainable. Through its “myth-busting” format,
they address many misconceptions and give us plenty to think about. Download
it, read it and re-read it.
Redefining Green: A New Definition of Quality Empowers
the Next Wave of Design
In this piece adapted from an article in Perspective by William McDonough and
Michael Braungart (authors of Cradle to Cradle), the visionaries review some
of the notions presented in their book, particularly that of moving to more
intelligent design models. Read
the article.
Re-nourish
Re-nourish is a resource for the graphic design industry with definitions,
tips, links, information and inspiration to aid in environmentally conscious
graphic design. Visit
the site.
Sustainability and Graphic Design
An article by Phil Hamlett that starts by defining sustainability, discussing
how it works in the business world, and provides a path for designers who wish
to further their understanding of issues around the topic of sustainability. View
the PDF (1.7 MB).
Sustainable Packaging and Design
World Changing – a site that’s worth real inspection – has
this fine piece by Wendy Jedlicka on sustainable packaging. In the article
she discusses the need to look past a materials checklist and engage in systemic
thinking. Visit
World Changing.
Sustainable Packaging Coalition
This membership-driven industry group (a project of GreenBlue) works to transform
packaging using the principles set out by cradle to cradle thinking. They advocate
and communicate on the topics of packaging materials and systems that promote
economic and environmental health. Learn
more.
Tips: Sustainable Graphic Design
Metropolitan Group offers a series of suggestions to help graphic designers
reduce resource use through the design process as well as a number of other
sustainable design tips. Look
over their tips.
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