What are ways to make your design portfolio more sustainable?

For physical portfolios, beyond just using recycled paper or covers, it’s important to use recyclable materials throughout e.g., newspaper or magazine clippings, lids of soda cans, cardboard delivery boxes, etc. basically anything around you. The idea is zero waste and it requires a mindset shift. This does Impact brand value and play into your price eventually.

Enhancing the sustainability of your design portfolio can be achieved by prioritizing eco-friendly materials. Steer clear of non-recyclable, glossy, or plastic components that harm the environment. Opt for natural, organic, recycled, or biodegradable materials like bamboo, cork, hemp, or recycled paper for covers, pages, or binding. This not only reduces environmental impact but also allows for reuse or composting.

Opting for a sustainable approach, consider going digital with your design portfolio. Create an online showcase using platforms, tools, or templates to present your work dynamically and interactively. This eliminates the use of physical resources and minimizes waste. Utilize websites, blogs, or portfolio sites, and leverage social media, online forums, or networks to share your portfolio with clients, employers, or collaborators. Going digital not only reduces environmental impact but also enhances accessibility and reach.

Going digital is only half the battle when working towards a sustainable portfolio. We often assume that a digital alternative doesn't come with a physical invoice. For example: Do you know how is your website's electricity sourced? Are your website assets optimised to ensure faster loading times? A good way to educate yourself on this front is to start by testing your site. Websitecarbon.com has developed an online calculator that ranks your website's carbon footprint. Although this is an estimate, it does allow you to understand where you are in this journey and identify routes to improve. Remember, achieving sustainability in today's fast-paced world is not a straight line but your commitment to it makes a difference.

When transitioning to a digital portfolio, ensure sustainability by optimizing your website. Employ efficient design and development practices to minimize energy consumption and carbon emissions. Optimize images, videos, and animations for reduced file sizes and faster loading times. Choose green web hosting services powered by renewable energy sources. Implement features like a dark mode option to reduce screen brightness and conserve battery life. These measures not only enhance the environmental friendliness of your digital presence but also contribute to a more efficient and user-friendly experience.

Integrate sustainability into your design portfolio by showcasing your skills and knowledge in this area. Demonstrate the application of sustainability principles throughout your design process and outcomes. Highlight your ability to research, analyze, and evaluate environmental and social impacts, showcasing your use of sustainable design methods such as life cycle assessment, circular design, or biomimicry. Additionally, emphasize how you measure and effectively communicate the sustainability benefits and value embedded in your design solutions. This not only aligns your portfolio with eco-conscious practices but also communicates your commitment to creating designs with a positive impact.

As a Sustainable Designer, people often query how exactly sustainability and design work together. More so since my background is in Graphic Design and Marketing. At first I struggled to join the dots between them because I felt sustainability was an exclusively science-driven concept (and I don't consider myself a scientist). However, I soon realised that wicked and complex problems require multifaceted teams, novel approaches and creative solutions. The science is a must but it is also important to engage with audiences, visualise the data, craft clear and concise messages that inspire people to drive change. These sit under the Social pillar of Sustainability and they are key to building an inclusive and equitable future.

Elevate the sustainability profile of your design portfolio by spotlighting projects with positive environmental and societal impacts. Showcase initiatives aligned with your sustainability goals, emphasizing achievements in renewable energy, waste reduction, water conservation, social justice, or community engagement. Highlight tangible and measurable sustainability outcomes and indicators from these projects. This not only demonstrates your commitment to sustainable design but also provides concrete evidence of your ability to create meaningful contributions to the environment and society through your work.

Ich fand auch hilfreich, als ich mich einem lokalen Nachhaltigkeits-Club angeschlossen habe und mich seither mit gleichgesinnten austauschen kann. Menschen aus den verschiedensten Branchen und Bereichen machen den signifikanten Mix, um noch tiefer in die "Welt der Nachhaltigkeit" eintauchen zu können. Seit ich viel im Austausch mit Nachhaltigkeits-Strateg*innen bin, habe ich schon sehr viel neues dazulernen dürfen, worüber in meiner Grafik- und Marketingbranche noch die wenigsten wissen.