Book Review: Green Graphic Design

Can a graphic designer be a catalyst for positive change? Breaking down the concept of "green design" step-by-step, respected industry leader Brian Dougherty, with Celery Design Collaborative, captures the ability of designers to communicate, persuade, and ultimately spread a socially and ecologically responsible message to both consumers and corporations. Green Graphic Design reframes the way designers can think about the work they create, while remaining focused on cost constraints and corporate identity. Simple, eco-innovative changes are demonstrated in all phases of the design process, including:

Green Graphic Design: Why And How to be More Eco-Friendly

Green Graphic Design: Why And How to be More Eco-Friendly
by Angela Ferraro-Fanning of 13thirtyone Design

Why Green Design?
“According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the world population is expanding at a mind-boggling rate. The world reached 1 billion people in 1800; 2 billion by 1922; and over 6 billion by 2000. It is estimated that the population will swell to over 9 billion by 2050. That means that if the world’s natural resources were evenly distributed, people in 2050 will only have 25% of the resources per capita that people in 1950 had.”¹
Both our individual lifestyles and the way we run our businesses contribute to this rapid decrease in resources. If we as small business owners or freelancers can control our services easily and lessen their harmful effects on the environment, why wouldn’t we? Many people are under the impression that running an environmentally friendly operation at work or at home costs loads of money and time. This isn’t necessarily true at all. In my experience,

Are You An Eco-Friendly Designer?

The environment is under more threat today, than it ever has been, and responsibility lies with all of us for doing what we can to help. Here are three very simple steps that designers can take to help the environment. 
Reduce electricity. Switch off at the mains, and don’t leave appliances on standby. How many times have you left a computer on when you’re sleeping, or when it’s not being used? Do you really need to? 
Re-use printer cartridges. Refill your cartridges, or

Renourish - Tools for Green Graphic Design

written by Warren McLaren, Bundanoon, Australia on treehugger.com

“When green design is usually discussed, most people think of buildings, products or even cars, but what about packaging? Shouldn't magazines, business cards, brochures and websites be green?” Yes, indeed, they should. And we are pleased to discover another resource available to communication designers attain these goals. Eric Benson, founder of Renourish, when he launched the site last year, wanted to “start the conversation on green graphic design by providing definitions, tips, and links to sustainable resources designers can use to make their work a little greener.” His useful guides and case studies sit well beside the ranks of the Society for Responsible Design, Design by Nature, the more recently mentioned Design Can Change, and, of course, the AIGA's (American Institute of Graphics Arts) very own Center for Sustainable Design. But Renourish is also a very worthy jumping off point if you want to know more about making greener choices in paper, ink, printing, packaging or design firms. ::Renourish.