Graphic Design Profession Paper

Current thinking and trends around sustainability in the graphic design profession

A review of recent literature shows a large number of articles, books, blogs, and websites dedicated to the topic of sustainable graphic design. AIGA—the largest community of graphic designers in the United States (“About AIGA”)—recently published an article series entitled “Designer of 2015.” This was the result of several years of research conducted by AIGA and Adobe Systems, Inc. that looked at new developments in business and the graphic design industry, and attempted to define the skills and roles that will be expected of graphic designers in the future (“Defining the Designer of 2015”). In the online article “Designer of 2015 Trends,” AIGA acknowledges the shift towards more sustainable design practices, including the need for understanding systems thinking and human-centered design approaches, and calls upon designers to “assume a leadership role in proposing responsible uses of resources” (par. 13).

In October 2013, the International Council of Communication Design (Icograda)2 updated its definition of the graphic design profession to say that a designer must “understand the cultural, ethical, social, economic and ecological impact of their endeavors and their ultimate responsibility towards people and the planet across both commercial and non-commercial spheres” (“Defining the Profession” par. 2). In 2009, the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC)—Canada’s first, and only, certification mark for graphic and communication designers—adopted Sustainability Values and Principles as part of its core certification by which all members should adhere (“About