Numerous design strategies exist that can lead to more sustainable business practices and products, which then also lead to greater profitability. Here is a brief overview of ideas to keep in mind.
Design to Have Positive Impact
How is your design making the world better or solving a problem?
Design for Circularity
One current goal for sustainability in fashion is the creation of a circular product cycle and economy. Circularity, also known as the Cradle to Cradle approach, is the idea that products not only cause no harm, but actually benefit people and the environment along the entire product’s lifecycle. Cradle to Cradle proposes a future “where design is a positive, regenerative force, producing effects that we want to expand rather than shrink.”
In addition to having positive impact, products create no waste – all materials are either infinitely recyclable or biodegradable.
Reduce Materials & Waste
Use less.
Move towards zero waste at all stages, like creating zero waste patterns.
Consider a reduction in material weight and size, especially with packaging components.
Substitute for Better, More Energy Efficient Materials
Utilize less toxic, more sustainable materials.
(See our Materials section of the guide for more information.)
Once fibers are blended, or different materials are mixed together, they become very difficult to recycle. Create products with one material that can be more easily placed in a closed loop recycling system.
Design for Disassembly. If a product is designed using different materials, allow for each element of a product to be separated and recycled differently
Design for Customization and Multi-Use
Create opportunities for the wearer to add personal elements or customize a product.
Create designs that can be adjusted by the wearer to have different fits and/or serve multiple functions. For example, a jacket with layers that can be added or removed depending on the weather. If one garment serves multiple needs, people don’t need as much stuff.
Design for Durability & Longevity
Create high quality products with resources to extend product life through repair + mending services.
Efficiency for Best Environmental Impact
Leverage technological and process innovations to design in solutions with greater efficiency and less impact.
Keep Things Local
Reduce transportation and energy emissions by working with local suppliers and vendors.
Working local also makes it easier to understand your social and environmental impact because you can observe it in your local community.
Consider Using Digital Resources
Transform physical objects into digital or virtual information. For example, use digital 3D visualization technology that minimizes the need to produce samples.
Give Your Customers Instructions
Label customer care and end-of-life instructions.
Design things to be washed and dried less frequently with less impact, and make care instructions very clear to consumers.
Design Closed-Loop Systems
Consider implementing take-back programs to take responsibility for the reuse and recycling of products you create.
Generate Financial Value
Produce products that become more valuable with time instead of less.
Create Social & Cultural Value
Desirability & meaning – how will you create a strong emotional bond between wearer and product? Design products that are needed & useful.
Design products with cultural vitality
Plan Ahead
Rushing things can hurt people and the environment at all stages. For example, shipping by sea has less environmental impact than shipping by air, but it takes longer so you have to plan ahead. Doing things last minute/rush orders make factory work flow more volatile, often extra workers are brought in only as contractors and workers are forced to go into overtime. Planning in advance allows for more stable and healthy working conditions, in factories as well as your own design room.
Develop Long-Term Personal Relationships with Your Suppliers
This is better for your suppliers, who have more stable work. It also gives you better insight into your social and environmental impact and the ability to work with your suppliers toward improvements.
Use Nature as an Inspiration & Guide
This concept is also referred to as Biomimicry. Not only can this help you innovate smart or beautiful design ideas, but it also keeps you from forgetting about your connection to nature more generally. If you’re inspired by nature it’s harder to hurt nature.
Be Authentic
Be original! You can be inspired by other artists and cultures, but be respectful too.
