What are some sustainable design principles to use in your next project?

1 Define your purpose and values

Before you start any design project, you need to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and why. What are the goals and objectives of your project? Who are the users and stakeholders? What are the environmental and social issues that your project addresses or affects? How does your project align with your personal and professional values? By defining your purpose and values, you can set the direction and scope of your project, and ensure that it is consistent and meaningful.

2 Apply systems thinking

Systems thinking is a way of seeing the world as a complex network of interconnected elements that influence each other. It helps you to understand the context and consequences of your design decisions, and identify the opportunities and challenges that arise from them. By applying systems thinking, you can avoid unintended negative impacts, optimize the use of resources, and create synergies and feedback loops that enhance the performance and resilience of your design.

3 Adopt circular design

Circular design is a design strategy that aims to eliminate waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems. It is based on the principles of the circular economy, which is a model that mimics the cycles of nature, where nothing is wasted and everything is reused or recycled. By adopting circular design, you can extend the life span and value of your products, reduce the dependency on finite resources, and create positive environmental and social outcomes.

4 Use renewable and low-impact materials

The choice of materials is a crucial factor in sustainable design, as it affects the environmental footprint and the quality of your design. You should aim to use materials that are renewable, biodegradable, recyclable, or compostable, and that have low embodied energy and emissions. You should also avoid materials that are toxic, hazardous, or non-recyclable, and that deplete natural resources or harm biodiversity. By using renewable and low-impact materials, you can minimize the environmental impact and improve the health and safety of your design.

5 Implement energy efficiency and conservation

Energy efficiency and conservation are key aspects of sustainable design, as they reduce the energy demand and consumption of your design, and consequently, the greenhouse gas emissions and the costs associated with them. You should aim to design products, services, and systems that use less energy, or use energy from renewable sources, such as solar, wind, or hydro. You should also consider the energy efficiency and conservation of the entire life cycle of your design, from the production and distribution to the use and disposal.

6 Engage users and stakeholders

Sustainable design is not only about technical solutions, but also about human behavior and social change. You need to engage users and stakeholders throughout the design process, from the research and ideation to the testing and evaluation. You should seek to understand their needs, preferences, motivations, and challenges, and involve them in co-creating and co-implementing solutions. By engaging users and stakeholders, you can increase the acceptance and adoption of your design, and foster a culture of sustainability and innovation.

7 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?