How can you incorporate sustainability into your technical drawing process?

1 Choose eco-friendly materials

One of the simplest ways to make your technical drawing process more sustainable is to choose eco-friendly materials for your sketches and final drawings. This means avoiding paper that is bleached, coated, or laminated, and opting for recycled, organic, or certified paper instead. You can also look for pens, pencils, and markers that are made from natural, biodegradable, or recycled materials, and that use non-toxic inks or dyes. Additionally, you can reduce your paper waste by using both sides of the paper, or by reusing old drawings as scrap paper.

2 Use digital tools and software

Another way to reduce your environmental impact and save resources is to use digital tools and software for your technical drawing process. There are many advantages of using digital tools, such as being able to edit, modify, and share your drawings easily, as well as creating realistic and detailed renderings of your designs. You can use software such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or InDesign, or online platforms such as CLO 3D, Browzwear, or Optitex, to create your technical drawings. However, you should also be mindful of the energy consumption and carbon footprint of your devices and software, and try to use them efficiently and responsibly.

3 Apply sustainable design principles

Besides choosing eco-friendly materials and digital tools, you can also incorporate sustainability into your technical drawing process by applying sustainable design principles to your fashion designs. These principles include minimizing waste, maximizing durability, optimizing functionality, and enhancing aesthetics. For example, you can use zero-waste or minimal-waste patterns, design for longevity and versatility, add features that improve comfort and performance, and use colors and textures that reflect your style and vision. By applying these principles, you can create technical drawings that showcase your creativity and innovation, as well as your commitment to sustainability.

4 Collaborate with other designers and stakeholders

A sustainable technical drawing process is not only about the materials and tools you use, but also about the people you work with. You can collaborate with other designers and stakeholders to exchange ideas, feedback, and best practices, as well as to learn from their experiences and perspectives. You can also use your technical drawings as a way to communicate your sustainability goals and values, and to inspire others to adopt more sustainable practices. By collaborating with other designers and stakeholders, you can create a network of support and influence, and contribute to the development of a more sustainable fashion industry.

5 Educate yourself and others

Finally, you can incorporate sustainability into your technical drawing process by educating yourself and others about the environmental and social impacts of fashion. You can do this by reading books, articles, blogs, or podcasts, attending webinars, workshops, or courses, or joining online communities or forums related to sustainable fashion. You can also use your technical drawings as a tool to educate others, such as your clients, customers, suppliers, or peers, about the benefits and challenges of sustainable fashion, and how they can support your efforts and initiatives. By educating yourself and others, you can increase your knowledge and awareness, and foster a culture of sustainability in your fashion career.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?