Sustainable DIY

Do-It-Yourself. How empowering, to be able to “do-it-yourself.” As a designer, I have seen the change in approaches of design in the world. Just by watching HGTV for a decade, I have seen the shows I watch transform from the original idea of designers coming up with unique solutions only they could create to the idea that the viewers could take their ideas and recreate them at home “easily.” How many times do you read in a magazine or watch on a television show a designer exclaiming how easy it is to recreate their “look” or how the viewer or reader can find similar items in shops near them? As a viewer or reader I feel empowered to create! Anne Thorpe discusses in The Designers Atlas of Sustainability the idea that when consumers are engaged in the products or artifacts they are purchasing more meaning is created. This means to me, that when someone is involved in making decisions about a purchase there will be a longer lasting and better result in the product. The same goes for “DIY” projects. The person will be happier with what they have and the product will be more utilized and kept for a longer period than just some random Wal-Mart particle board furnishing or Hanes T-shirt. Therefore, I am an avid “DIY” girl. The products that I spent time on or re-created are some of my favorite pieces or accessories. These items will be in my home for many years to come, whereas my cheap Wal-Mart finds will be simply discarded. DIY is the way to go!

 Incidentally a differing opinion in the media is shown in Anne Thorpe’s Atlas as she suggests that “much of what we see in visuality looks real but isn’t”. This is the negative image that is stereotypical of the media. However, because of our “watching nature” as a society visuality is one part of our culture that I believe can be utilized as a tool for sustainability. In today’s culture, the media prominently does not portray reality. However, just as the Dove Company has recreated the so-called “image” of models, I believe that the same can be done in the design world. The beauty of the media is that it reaches so many people, and is able to aid in decisions of society.  Every day, and through every portal of technology: Facebook, YouTube, Google, Television, and Magazines I am exposed to hundreds of ads and commercials displaying products and opinions. Consequently, I am persuaded to try a new food at Taco Bell or to buy new shoes from Payless. Therefore, the media is one avenue that I believe can make a change in peoples opinions on “sustainability.” If a commercial was made for sustainability similar to the “above the influence” or “dove” campaigns societies opinion would be changed. There would be a greater movement to recycle or choose the cleaning product that is “eco-friendly” and a greater awareness for sustainability would then be created in our culture.

Frank Sherman author of Selling Sustainability suggests that many large corporations are moving towards the “green” movement of sustainability. Some of the companies he examples in his article are Wal-Mart and L.L. Bean. He explains that the Wal-Mart Corporation does not consider itself to exactly be a sustainable company, but many of their production practices are focused on this aspect. L.L. Bean however is a major leader in sustainability and even follows LEED in each and every aspect of their company. Both of these companies as well as other “green retailers” do not want customers to buy less, however suggesting that customers make better choices and purchase “greener” products which in turn will help to reduce the environmental footprint. He also states that “the best green retailers today promote their values, offer products that can have a positive environmental impact, and focus on the environmental efficiency of their operations and supply chain as core business improvement strategies. They lead by example and demonstrate that going green is good for business.” This view should be taken by many other companies and corporations to provide the world of consumers with more sustainable products and solutions. This would make a huge change in everyone’s lives!

Yet, design is heavily impacted by economics. This is problematic for the idea of sustainable design to spread. However, some companies have begun partaking in the cause of sustainability. The Fair Trade corporation has become a leading example of sustainability globally. Their idea is further explained in their mission statement:

“We seek to empower family farmers and workers around the world, while enriching the lives of those struggling in poverty. Rather than creating dependency on aid, we use a market-based approach that empowers farmers to get a fair price for their harvest, helps workers create safe working conditions, provides a decent living wage and guarantees the right to organize. Through direct, equitable trade, farming and working families are able to eat better, keep their kids in school, improve health and housing, and invest in the future. Keeping families, local economies, the natural environment, and the larger community strong today and for generations to come; these are the results we seek through Fair Trade.”

This is one of the best examples I have seen of a corporation focusing on sustainability. If more organizations focused on these types of standards, then the world would be altogether more sustainable. As I was researching I found out more about other organizations that follow this example of Fair Trade in the fashion industry: Autonomie Project Incorporated, Dhana, Esteam Europe LTD, Good and Fair Clothing, Greenlight Apparel, HAE Now, Indigenous Designs Corp, Liberty & Justice, Maggie’s Organics, Marci Zaroff Sustainable Brands, Prana, The Peanut Shell, Tompkins Point Apparel just to name a few. I was proud to find out that Prana was on this list, because I recently purchased a headband from them and loved it! You might be surprised to find out that some items you have previously purchased come from companies with sustainability in mind.

     Another example of sustainable strategies in our world is through the work of non-profit organizations. Thorpe explains, “a nonprofit structure allows you to make doing-things-for-a-good-cause your bottom line.” Two organizations I have found to be major incorporators of sustainability are: Architects for Humanity and ADPSR Architects/Designers/Planners for Social Responsibility. Similar to that of Free Trade USA, Architects for Humanity views design as:

Alleviating poverty and providing access to water, sanitation, power and essential services, bringing safe shelter to communities prone to disaster and displaced populations, rebuilding community and creating neutral spaces for dialogue in post-conflict areas, mitigating the effects of rapid urbanization in unplanned settlements, creating spaces to meet the needs of those with disabilities and other at-risk populations, and reducing the footprint of the built environment and addressing climate change.

Therefore, the design world is not just focusing on “sustainability” in the big corporations, but also through the different projects of non-profit organizations. So as designers we must push for a more sustainable world, and to do this we need to look for opportunities to help the change. Whether this means to purchase our resources and materials from the companies that focus on sustainability, convince our clients to “DIY” or look to other non-profit organizations as examples we need to encourage change!