Sustainable Design

When asked where I draw inspiration from, most often I find myself saying “everywhere and in everything”, but when I really consider my main source of inspiration, I find that the process of design, and the challenges of using available materials and techniques, is what truly drives me. These process and challenges are the basis of what I believe sustainable design is. Of course, there are many principles to sustainable design, but at its core, it is about problem solving - innovative ways of addressing a current issue or re-thinking an old question. Problem solving and resourcefulness are at its heart. You use what you have access to and you make the most of it.

As mentioned, there are many common principles to sustainable design, but environmental issues are at the forefront. Low-impact materials, non-toxic sustainably produced or recycled materials and energy efficient manufacturing processes are integral. Design that connects us to the natural environment can also be a method of sustainability. Making sure we have a connection to our environment means it’s easier for us to care for it.

For example, consider all of the plastic waste that ends up in our streets, in landfills, on our beaches or simply in our homes. The question of what can be done with this waste is the basis from which we can create a design that adds meaning and a positive connection from maker to buyer. I have come across two brands that have managed to address this issue while at the same time creating a commercial product that is design-led, beautiful, functional and innovative:

EcoBirdy makes sustainable children’s furniture by creating a system that collects and recycles old, unused plastic toys. The furniture pieces are made entirely from recycled plastic. Each step is based on social and environmental responsibility. An accompanying storybook and school-program has been designed to introduce youngsters to the circular economy and inspire them to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Reform started from a major issue in Egypt – waste. And after many design proposals and experiments they created ‘plastex’ an eco-friendly material made by weaving discarded plastic bags

My personal experience with sustainable design is from building my own business Quazi Design in Eswatini. Quazi Design is a partnership with the local magazine distributors who have a large number of magazines and newspapers that are returned or not sold and therefore waste. With the goal of repurposing these materials to decrease waste and focusing on creating employment for Swazi people, I set out to create a design that would fulfill these needs. Quazi Design now produces beautiful handcrafted accessories and homeware from 100% recycled magazines and newspapers.

Rather than merely follow trends or simply design for a certain market or aesthetic I like to be inspired by the process of creation. This means that the process of developing a product is more organic and playful. Sometimes mistakes can inspire a whole new collection. This way of working means that the materials are at the center of the design, and it’s about being as resourceful as possible. I feel this is a truthful, real, tangible and a very organic process of trial and error. Our collections are segmented by technique rather than merely design. By wanting to push the boundaries of what is possible with paper I came up with original techniques that have now become our signature style.

When coming up with our ‘paper wood’ collection for Quazi Design we were experimenting with layering the pages of a magazine but it somehow felt stuck and needed much more refining and developing. The shapes were raw and unfinished. One day I collected wooden displays for our local retail shop in Swaziland from a local carpenter and I thought – why not treat it like wood? We could use a sander, saw and drill just like wood and this became the base of the whole collection. I was true to my idea of bringing paper back to its original form as wood, while using local skills and accessible tools, to create an innovative solution with a beautiful finished product. I feel that products come alive during the sampling process and can take a life of their own.

At Quazi we focus mainly on design for recycling; making products and creating systems designed for performance in a commercial ‘afterlife’ but we also only use renewable resources, meaning materials come from nearby or are produced in a sustainable manner. We endeavor to use natural paints, or water-based glues as much as possible. This can be hard when needing to make a paper bead water-resistant so if it’s not possible we are honest and transparent about our decision-making.

Beyond Environmental Sustainability

I believe that design can change lives and that we can design for positive impact. I decided very early on that if we wanted to create a sustainable brand, we would need to incorporate sustainability into everything we do. Sustainability has become our ethos; from our business model, our materials and processes to our finished products. This focus not only applies to environmental sustainability but social sustainability. Can a product really be sustainable while its maker is being underpaid or treated unfairly? I think designers have a responsibility to recognise the power they hold to create design that empowers marginalised people. Design happens collaboratively, and I feel fortunate to facilitate this through my work, being able to utilise skills in engaging artisans and inspire leadership – using design to inspire positive change.

It is heartening to see sustainable design becoming mainstream, understood, design-led and innovative. Brands are adapting ‘green’ strategies and are changing their materials and manufacturing processes. Sustainability is a trend that is here to stay. It also makes business sense with real benefits– an opportunity to enter new markets, strong brand awareness, customer loyalty, and more efficient use of resources. Though, companies should remain cautious of ‘greenwashing’ - using sustainability as a marketing tool but not actually incorporating any green practices. Several companies have either successfully altered their unsustainable practices, (such as Nestlé’s Nescafé, who found a novel use for their waste coffee grounds, by using the steam generated to power Nestlé factories) or pursued a successful green agenda from the beginning, like Patagonia, whose long-standing commitment to the environment can be traced back to its very origins.

The future of sustainable design is exciting and positive and it will become a part of our everyday life.

To learn more and keep up to date with current sustainable designs you can check out The Guardian newspaper, the design magazine Dezeen or online green website Inhabitat, all with dedicated pages on sustainable design.