1B BLOG

The Power Of Ethical production

The flaws of linear economy and cradle to grave concept 

 

 A Drop in the Ocean,(2024)

In the midst of a booming and ever changing economy, designers have developed the ability to produce at an accelerated pace with quick turnaround projects, and constant changing trends. Due to the high consumption rate of social networks, leading to short term satisfaction of obtaining new commodities and objects that are well and cleverly advertised, the success of young designers is being based on how many views or hits their work is obtaining, which  is eventually leading to immense financial gain. This loop of constant production consumption, and profit contributes to the linear economy which is blinding designers and consumers of the jarring environmental impact caused by overconsumption and less costly methods of production.  The newly emerging fast fashion and AI are extremely unregulated which are two of the many examples of consumerism. Designers posses a very powerful tool which is the ability to influence the public and the choices of thousands of people, without the environmental awareness of the correct methods within their practice, such as the ethos of design in terms of labour, material, and overall environmental impact. The powerful tool creates counter intuitive results instead of relying on people or money hungry corporations to think and act more consciously. We can as designers encourage methods of ethical production in their field, such as the use of repurposed material, and the contribution to the circular economy. As well as the research into the post production methods, and proper disposal methods for the products. In a nutshell, encouraging designers to design with intention. There are designers that contribute to circular economy and the application of the integrating nature and culture in designs, and further encourages younger designers and displays the potential of being intuitive and intentional in your creations and the positive impact that can be created in the examples following.

 

According to Adling Tan in the online article The Artling, an Environmentally aware company called SMALLrevolution based in Copenhagen have implemented the concept of circular and sustainable solutions in the field of product design, slowly fixing the issue of plastic waste by recycling plastic and creating attractive pieces of furniture,

https://smallrevolution.dk/

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Artling,(2021)

 

 

Another article states one of the best ecological designs was found in the field of architecture is the Vancouver land bridge by Jones & Jones architecture in simple terms “The Vancouver Land Bridge is a kind of a wildlife crossing that allows animals to cross human-made barriers in a safe way”, it is a very thought out design regarding sustainability in storing rain water and the preservation of agriculture.

 

confluence project,(2024)

Designers have the capability of making tremendous change by influencing people into a more environmentally positive earth through incorporating Nature and urban society. These conscious decisions of designers can set the future up for a more aware, ethical, and eager to change individuals for future generations. It is also the designers responsibility to persuade the public into a positive society that is eco-friendly and progressive.

Reference List 

Jarvis, K. (2024) Why recycling isn’t the answer, A Drop in the Ocean. Available at: https://adropintheoceanshop.com/blogs/blog/why-recycling-isnt-the-answer (Accessed: 11 November 2024).

Artling, T. (2021) Smallrevolution – 18 works for sale, Profile & Content on the artling. Available at: https://theartling.com/en/designer/smallrevolution/ (Accessed: 11 November 2024).

projects, C. (2024) Confluence, Confluence Project. Available at: https://www.confluenceproject.org/ (Accessed: 11 November 2024).