Why?

Design makes a more sustainable future

Waste is a product of bad design. We pull resources from the earth, shape them into a product, use it, and throw it away.

Design Boom

A sustainable business is, increasingly, a successful business. Companies that demonstrate a respect for the environment establish a competitive advantage, especially with environmentally aware consumers; enhance their public image; and improve their earnings power.i

A commitment to environmental sustainability often improves a company's relationship with customers, investors, regulators, communities and suppliers. Sustainability is not only good for the earth and its people; it is increasingly connected to increasing profit and improving shareholder value.ii

Detail of Nike Considered footwear

The Nike Considered line of footwear. Pictured: Mowab II. © 2006 NIKE. All rights reserved.

Case Study: Nike and McDonald's

Nike has designed its shoeboxes to be 10% lighter (saving 4,000 tons of raw materials and $1.6m annually) and switched to water-based cements in 90% of its shoes (saving more than 1.6 million gallons of solvents per year, the equivalent of more than 32,000 barrels of oil.) McDonald's Sweden now runs 75% of its 233 stores on renewable energy, serves organic beef and dairy products, and recycles 90% of all restaurant waste. Over three years, McDonald's went from one of the most loathed brands in Sweden to the third most popular brand in the country.

On average, more than 30 tons of non-renewable natural resources are invested to produce 1 ton of goods.iii By designing in a sustainable manner from the very start of a product or service life cycle, by anticipating how a product can be reused or recycled or its impact reduced, businesses can successfully achieve the “triple bottom line” benefiting people, planet and profit.

Sustainable design can help Irish companies gain competitive advantage by creating products and services that use less energy and material thereby saving costs and building customer loyalty.

why?

Why is design important? Our research shows Irish companies that value design innovate more often. Not only that, but Irish companies that value design innovate more successfully. And those companies that integrate design more strategically within their organisations experience greater demand for their goods and services.

what?

What is design innovation? Many people are describing the same thing by different names and we want to create a common language around design innovation, thinking and practice.

how?

This isn’t rocket science but it is the next ‘big thing’. Understanding your users provides context for your innovation efforts and leads to greater success in the marketplace. Our practical programmes can help make you more competitive.

who?

We are here to help. There is also a broader network of support for you and your organisation. And if you’re still not convinced of design’s impact on innovation, see how other individuals, organisations and countries are competing through design.