Some basic prompts for designers when considering project objectives. Originally presented at Print Ontario

2. “ The test of a first-rate intelligence is the
ability to hold two opposing ideas in and
at the same time and still retain the ability
to function. One should, for example, be “
able to see that things are hopeless yet
be determined to make them otherwise.
F. Scott Fitzgerald

3. What Is Sustainability?
sustaina-who-a
sustaina-what-a
sustainability

4. “Sustainability” Defined

5. Incrementally Unattainable
Most definitions of sustainability include terms like
“maintained at a certain level indefinitely”
Or....
“meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs”

6. Step One: Awareness
My definition of sustainability as a graphic designer, playing an active
roll in measuring not only my own footprint, but also the footprint of my clients –
we are the gatekeepers of their footprint, they can’t manage it with our help,
if we don’t measure it.

7. Input, Ning Community-Site

8. Input, Widget

9. Learning Spread The Word Conferences

10. Collaboration Super-Hero Design Camp

11. “Working sustainable can be
both incredibly complicated and
wonderfully simple. As graphic
designers we like to see ourselves
Environmental Economic as trendsetters and leaders. It
therefore comes as no surprise that
many designers are interested in
Social
reevaluating professional practices
Sustainability
and improving their environmental
footprint.”
Aaris Sherin, SustainAble

12. The “C Word”
Andreas Gursky 99 Cent, 1999
Consumption.

13. “ If it can be measured,
“
it can be managed.
Alan Kay

14. As designers we are the gatekeepers of our
clients (environmental marketing) footprint.
It is our responsibility to make them aware of it,
and our opportunity to help them manage it.

15. Knowledge is an implied responsibility

16. Chain of Custody
Triple Bottom line
CSR Corporate Social
Responsibility
Sustainability

17. The 4 R’s
R R educe. euse.
R R ecycle. esponsibly
spec.
And then ideally Offset

18. 1 tonne of paper of paper, 2200 lb., is the equivalent
of 220,000 sheets of standard (20# bond) photocopy paper.
That would be 440 packages, 44 cartons or 1 skid.
(based on 4 metric tonnes of carbon credits per 1 tonne of paper at a cost of $15 per metric tonne thought a VEC broker)
OR, 1 TOnnE OF pApER COuld mAKE Any OnE OF ThESE pApER pROduCTS
11,000 7,300 1,250 729,000 218,000
Movie Posters 24 Page Catalogs 168 Page Books Business Cards Post Cards
(25" x 38" 100# coated) (8.5" x 11", 100# uncoated) (8.5" x 5.5" 80# uncoated) (2" x 3.5" 12 pt coated) (4" x 6", 12 pt. coated)
TO OFFSET ThE GREEnhOuSE GASES OF 1000 unITS
$
5.45 $
8.21 $
48 0.08¢ 0.28¢

19. The Brief, Redux

20. Client / Design Brief
ì Working sustainable can be
Date
both incredibly complicated Page of
and wonderfully simple.î
now with sustainability prompts 1
Project
Project objectives
Target audience

21. Product description
Customer (user) benefits
Support for benefit claims
Competition
Distribution

22. Key message
Current /Desired perception
Strategic focus
Tone & Manner
Project mandates Project lifespan

23. Budget Quote required?
Proposed schedule
Delivery instructions
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