Andrea Ellsworth

SURVEY FINDINGS July 20. 2008

“Absolutely. The curriculum at design schools needs to catch up & surpass the knowledge base of the students in order to inspire. Right now the students are more savvy than the instructors on sustainability!” – Amy Leaman

“Yes. Because we have a duty to give back.” – Bernard Hellen

“Definitely, the fact that we have the power to influence trends 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 aware of the consequences.” – Andrea Ellsworth-T.

1

“Yes, because designers do have the power to make a difference.” – Danny Wu

“Yes, students should become aware of their impact on the environment in 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 endeavors to marry the concepts of responsibility and making a living.” – Kim Bauer “Yes. Design is never in a bubble. The natural world has always been an inspiration to designers. We must preserve it.” – Pat Keenan

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“Yes, students need to be informed and understand the risks & actions necessary to take regarding sustainability in design.” – Sarah Lott

“Yes. It is the new designer that comes into the industry that can institute change.” – Mark Herd

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

Should schools offer courses on sustainable design? Why?

Workshops

Meet-ups & lectures

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 Printing Resources

Website Articles Media

3

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

13 8

YES

NO

(38%)

(62%)

4

Should the RGD form a committee on sustainability?

21

0

YES

NO

(100%)

(0%)

5

Would you attend meetings?

20

1

YES

NO

(95%)

(5%)

6

Would you volunteer?

20

1

YES

NO

(95%)

(5%)

7

Do you know your carbon footprint?

16

5

YES

NO

(24%)

(76%)

Travel Mug

Eat more locally

Use less water Stop eating meat

8

Fly less GO public transit

Bullfrog Power

Stop driving to work

Name one action you can implement in the next 12 months in order to reduce your carbon footprint. Switch my purchases to recycled materials as much as possible.

Don’t use plastic bags anymore.

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 and transport of that stuff.

Purchase carbon offsets for the 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. Enforce recycling at home and encourage/petition certain companies.

Switching lights and faucets to energy saving.

Reduce usage of car – take transit and take time to walk to destinations.

9

How do you commute to school/work?

10 9

2

Transit (47%)

Biking/ Walking (43%)

Driving (10%)

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

3

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

7

1

YES

No

N/A*

(62%)

(33%)

(5%) *STUDENTS/NOT SURE

16

Are you aware of Bullfrog power?

17

4

YES

NO

(80%)

(20%)

17

Are you aware of Zero footprint?

14 7

YES

NO

(67%)

(33%)

18

Do you provide your clients with more sustainable options?

7

7 6

1

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

7

1

YES

0

NO

SOMETIMES

N/A* *STUDENTS/NOT SURE

20

Are your clients asking you for more sustainable options?

7

7

1

YES

0

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? How would you ‘Spread the Word’ better?

Who has inspired you to be sustainable? Do you understand your impact on the world? When you design, do you consider the items life cycle?

What do you do to encourage ‘sustainability thinking” in the people around you? Do you have a travel mug…? What would make it easier to be green? Are you disillusioned and overwhelmed 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)