SURVEY FINDINGS

July 20. 2008

“Absolutely. The curriculum “Yes. Because we have a
at design schools needs duty to give back.” “Yes, because designers do have
to catch up & surpass the – Bernard Hellen the power to make a difference.” –
knowledge base of the Danny Wu
students in order to inspire.
Right now the students
are more savvy than the
instructors on sustainability!”
“Definitely, the fact that we have the power to influence trends
– Amy Leaman
through design, we get the opportunity to learn new things. And
why not have fresh ideas for great causes.” – Andrea Rualez

“Yes. Going into an industry with such

a huge carbon footprint, we need to be “Yes, students should become aware
aware of the consequences.” of their impact on the environment in

1
– Andrea Ellsworth-T. relation to their work.”
– Jason Mazariegos

Should schools offer courses on sustainable design? Why?

“Yes. Sustainable design is constantly changing/
evolving and I think its important to be able to
have that discussion in an education system.” –
Kristen Lim-Tung

“Yes. In concert with other “Yes, students need to be

endeavors to marry the informed and understand the
concepts of responsibility and risks & actions necessary to
making a living.” – Kim Bauer take regarding sustainability
in design.” – Sarah Lott
“Yes. Design is never in a bubble.
The natural world has always been
an inspiration to designers. We must
preserve it.” – Pat Keenan “Yes. It is the new designer that comes into
the industry that can institute change.”
– Mark Herd

1
“Yes! Next generation designers need to have
sustainability at the top of their minds.” –
Simón Rojas

Should schools offer courses on sustainable design? Why?

 Meet-ups & lectures Workshops

Resource guide of suppliers

2
Client Sales Materials
Environmentally safe ink Widget

Name one specific tool you would find helpful in learning about sustainability.

Details about offset – beyond throwing money at tree-planting

Point of Sale
Website Printing Resources

Articles

Media
3
Are you or any of your colleagues/peers aware of the FSC X Designation?

13

YES NO
(38%) (62%)
4 Should the RGD form a committee on sustainability?

21

YES NO
(100%) (0%)
5 Would you attend meetings?

20

YES NO
(95%) (5%)
6 Would you volunteer?

20

YES NO
(95%) (5%)
7 Do you know your carbon footprint?

16

YES NO
(24%) (76%)
 Use less water Eat more locally Travel Mug

Stop eating meat

8
Fly less Stop driving to work
Bullfrog Power
GO public transit

Name one action you can implement in the next 12 months in order to reduce your
carbon footprint.
Don’t use plastic bags anymore.
Switch my purchases to
recycled materials as much
as possible.
Help my apartment building implement the new
recycling systems this summer (ie. Green box).
Buy a lot less unnecessary
stuff to the goal of reducing
energy consumption and
waste in the manufacture Purchase carbon offsets for the
and transport of that stuff. traveling I’ve done.
8 (Part.2)
Name one action you can implement in the next 12 months in order to reduce your
carbon footprint.

Reduce usage of car – take transit

Enforce recycling at home and take time to walk to destinations.
and encourage/petition
certain companies.

Switching lights and faucets to

energy saving.
9 How do you commute to school/work?

10
9

Transit Biking/ Driving

(47%) Walking (10%)

(43%)
10 On a scale of 1 to green, how green are you?

1
2
3
4
5 x4
6 x6
7 x8
8 x1
9 x1
10 x 1
(GREEN)

AVERAGE: 6.5
11 Is your computer on right now?

10 11

YES NO
(45%) (55%)
12
How robust is the recycling program at your studio/school (e.g. paper, glass,
plastic, organic)?
Very good
Basic
Not great
Pretty good
Paper only
Horrible
Lukewarm at best
Everywhere
Good
Fairly involved
Not great
Not robust enough
Pretty good
Fairly
No organics
Paper only
No organics
Non-existent
A pile of shit
Not robust at all
Not very
13 Is your workplace or school offsetting their carbon output?

18

YES NO
(14%) (86%)
14 Does your studio buy carbon credits?

16

3
2

YES No N/A*
(10%) (76%) (14%)
*STUDENTS/NOT SURE
15 Does your firm personally do pro bono/social good projects?

13

YES No N/A*
(62%) (33%) (5%)
*STUDENTS/NOT SURE
16 Are you aware of Bullfrog power?

17

YES NO
(80%) (20%)
17 Are you aware of Zero footprint?

14

YES NO
(67%) (33%)
18 Do you provide your clients with more sustainable options?

7 7
6

YES NO SOMETIMES N/A*

*STUDENTS/NOT SURE
19
Do you feel that your clients would be receptive to your suggestions regarding
sustainable options?

13

1
0

YES NO SOMETIMES N/A*

*STUDENTS/NOT SURE
20 Are your clients asking you for more sustainable options?

7 7

1
0

YES NO SOMETIMES N/A*

*STUDENTS/NOT SURE
21 If you could add a question to this survey what would it be?

What are the steps to becoming a more

sustainable individual?
What do you do to encourage
How would you ‘Spread the
‘sustainability thinking” in the
Word’ better?
people around you?

Who has inspired you to

be sustainable? Do you have a travel mug…?

Do you understand your

impact on the world?
When you design, do you
consider the items life cycle?
What would make it easier
to be green?
Are you disillusioned and over-
whelmed by this growing trend toward
sustainability? How can we help?
WHAT IS THE SMALLEST THING I CAN DO
TO MAKE THE BIGGEST CHANGE?

Buy & use local products

Shorter Showers
Turn things off
Making Habits, thinking of the outcome
Launched a designation for graphic designers with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC Xpert)
Communicate the message, change yourself
Giving/Content
Combat the stigma of throwing away
Throwing garbage into the designated cans.
Reusing foam take-out containers.
Eat more responsibly (locally)
Inform and share information. Pay attention. Ask. Dig.
Continue learning more and educating myself and passing that on to others.
Lead by example, take responsibility.
Awareness of what I am buying so I consume less.
Re-use paper for office work and printing.
WHAT ISSUES FACE TORONTO TODAY?

Environmental
Littering
Families not spending time together.
Access or knowledge of where healthy/local food is.
Public transportation issues
Poverty
Homelessness and mental illness, income gaps.
Social housing
HOW ARE DESIGNERS IMPLICATED IN
GREENWASHING? HOW DO WE AVOID IT?

Ask Questions
A new profession
Research
As designers we are compelled to communicate, and unfortunately conflicts of morality can arise (money or
cost of living VS conscience).
Be involved in the whole process. JUST SAY NO (unless you can change their mind, or find value in the project)
Designers Responsibility to sway to actual action.
Art Director - Sustainability Director
Creative Director - Social Director
Project Manager - Cultural Director
Know your agency. Do your research. Understand what you will and won’t do/support. Ask Questions.
Do your research. Understand your own sense of morals. Know who you’re working for and what they will and
won’t stand for.
Advertise eco-friendly initiatives (eg. Bring travel mug & get a discount)
WHAT HAVE I DONE TO MAKE CHANGE?

Brought in recycling bins to my last office and reminded people that

recycling isn’t just for at home.
Purchased a ticket to the Antarctic to study the effects of climate
change with scientists in order to take what we learn and create global
awareness to make a difference.
Written and published articles to inform others on how they can make
the world a better place.
Made an effort to lead a lifestyle that utilizes organic living elements
(furniture, food, clothing)
Involvement in various not-for-profit groups (girl groups, handing out
lunches to homeless, mission trips, fundraising, church organizations)