SUSTAINABILITY IN THE DESIGN PROCESS

"In recent years, sustainability has become a word of ambiguous meaning. Used across disciplines and industries, its definition has stretched and shifted to the point of becoming malleable, often dependent on context, intent and circumstance.

When considered in relation to design, it becomes essential to situate sustainability within the right framework. It does not simply mean producing objects from visibly green materials, nor does it imply stopping creation altogether. Sustainability also means designing durable, deeply considered objects. Objects that last, and therefore do not require constant replacement or the repeated use of energy and resources.

For this reason, environmental considerations must be addressed from the very beginning of the design process. Decisions made at the earliest stages regarding cost, performance, materials, cultural relevance and aesthetics have the greatest impact on a product’s environmental footprint. In fact, the majority of a product’s environmental impact is determined before it is ever manufactured. Preventative thinking, rather than corrective action, is therefore essential.

Designing responsibly requires a clear understanding of a product’s entire lifecycle, from pre-production and manufacturing, through distribution and use, to its eventual end of life. Each of these phases presents opportunities to reduce resource consumption and limit environmental impact through thoughtful design decisions. Material choice plays a central role in this process. Beyond the quantity of material used, it is necessary to consider how each material is sourced, processed, transformed and recycled. Some technologies release toxic substances during production, while others achieve similar results without causing harm. Likewise, materials that appear sustainable at first glance can reveal significant drawbacks when examined more closely.

Bioplastics, for example, are often presented as an alternative to fossil based plastics. The term itself can be misleading, as it does not necessarily imply biodegradability, but often simply refers to plastics derived from biological sources. While promising, current technologies still face challenges related to water consumption, recyclability and energy intensive production. Sustainability, in this sense, is rarely about simple substitutions. It is about understanding trade offs and making informed choices.

Longevity is another fundamental principle. The useful life of a product, meaning how long it performs reliably and meaningfully, has a direct impact on sustainability. Products designed to be maintained, repaired, updated or adapted over time reduce waste and extend their relevance. Durability, both physical and conceptual, is a form of responsibility.

The same logic applies to manufacturing and packaging. Standardising components, designing for disassembly and simplifying recycling processes all contribute to a more efficient use of resources. Packaging must also be considered critically. No material is impact free, and the issue lies less in material choice than in how effectively that material can be reused or recycled. Corrugated cardboard, for instance, remains one of the most widely recycled materials available. When used without dyes or chemical treatments, it offers a practical balance between protection, reuse and end of life disposal. Its effectiveness does not lie in the material’s perfection itself, but in its ability to function within existing recycling systems.

Ultimately, sustainability in design is not defined by a single material, process or solution. It is a continuous practice that requires awareness, responsibility and a willingness to question assumptions at every stage. From conception to production, from use to disposal, sustainability remains an integral part of how objects are imagined and brought into the world."

– Mike Simonelli

May 2022