Climate-Conscious Design: A New Era in Industrial Design and Why You Should Care

As the world faces the impacts of climate change at rising rates, designers are being called on to play an essential role in creating solutions that mitigate the environmental damage caused by industrial processes. Industrial designers, in particular, have a critical role to play in the fight against climate change. This article explores a few reasons why ID should contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of design. 

Here are some reasons why Industrial Designers should put climate-conscious design into practice.   

Responsibility: ID plays a significant role in creating the products and systems that contribute to carbon emissions and other environmental impacts. By considering the environmental impact of the products we design and advocating for change within our industry to create more sustainable products, we can have significant impact reducing harmful practices at a large scale. As one of the first touchpoints in the product development process, we have significant input on the overall impact of the final product. 

Regulations: Governments around the world are introducing regulations to reduce carbon emissions and environmental impacts. Industrial Designers who create products that comply with, and proactively prepare for, these regulations will create products that are well-positioned for future success. 

Market Demand: Consumers are increasingly demanding environmentally friendly products. Industrial Designers who create sustainable products can tap into this growing market and create a competitive advantage for their clients and consumers.  

Innovation: Addressing climate change on the scale we are facing today requires innovation and creativity. Who better to be working toward this than designers? Industrial designers have the skill to innovate and create solutions not only for clients, and customers, but for the environment. Contributing to the triple bottom line goals of businesses and governments. 

Reputation: Companies with designers who care about the environment and create sustainable products are increasingly viewed more positively by consumers, clients, and the public. Focusing on this space and building in Design for Environment practices works to enhance the designers and companies’ reputation and lead to new opportunities. 

We, as Industrial Designers, must understand our impact on climate change and build in actions to combat it. This is a challenge that affects everyone, and we have the power to help. The power to lead with empathy, critical thinking, and industrial process know-how to design better products for our planet and people within it. 

Stay tuned for content on how to implement climate-impact in the design process.