May 8, 2008 - by Craig Mounsey
Sustainability - Don't dig a hole for ourselves
CMD is committed to a balanced approach to sustainable product design. Let me explain. We need to be careful how we approach this issue as a profession. Agreed, Industrial design must lead the way in educating our clients and suppliers in the ways of sustainability, but by involving them not by dictating to them. Despite what we may think of ourselves we just don't have the credibility for that kind of position, especially in Australia.
Like all things of significance the key to sustainable design is balancing objectives against acceptable outcomes. Product design by its nature is counterproductive to a reduction in the use of resources. The goal of our endeavours is to maximise the return on investment for our clients. This is achieved by constantly inventing and reinventing products to foster market sales. If it sells swell. So our world turns.
We have options as designers, during the development process, to make decisions regarding the outcomes of the products we are designing. Most of these decisions are invisible to our clients. I believe that if we share some of these critical decisions and the implications both to the environment on the return on investment, we may be pleasantly surprised by the concessions that are given.
Finally: Standards Australia hosted a forum on sustainability in Sydney recently (30/04/2008), The topics were valid and the speakers good. What was disappointing was the attendance. Come on guys show some interest. If I can get my butt 1500km down there from Brisbane (carbon debt offset paid for - don't you worry about that) surely other ID business owners can get a cab across town (or a bike).
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