Being Responsible in Design
Decorex 2023 at Olympia London, was another great opportunity for me to hear from the experts on major topics faced by the design industry. And what more talked about topic is there than sustainability, a hot topic not just in interior design, but across whole industries, economies and government bodies around the globe. Hosted by Elspeth Pridham, Editor of The Insider, the topic “Responsibility in Design: What Does It Mean?” was discussed by panel guests: Edward Bulmer, Founder of Edward Bulmer Natural Paint; Helen Gordon, Creative Director and Co-founder of Kite Creative; Jules Haines, Founder of Haines Collection; Simone Suss, Founder of Studio Suss; and Mark Tremlett, Founder of Naturalmat.
Sustainability is such a widely used word, that sometimes its meaning gets a bit lost. It would appear that everyone is doing something about it, but then again, not much is actually being done in an impactful manner. However, what was interesting about the selection of panel speakers is that each of their businesses and core operations were founded based solely on sustainability, and therefore their words held some weight and significance. The panel spoke both about the act of being sustainable and the responsibility of a business within a society to do so.
The usual ideas were touched on: taking individual responsibility; understanding the material input and processes of the products we purchase; considering both product lifecycle and end-of-life placement; and the principles of a circular economy. What was interesting was seeing how each speaker have taken these fundamental ideas and put them into practice as the foundation of their business offerings.
Edward Bulmer discussed the need to disclose ingredients in paints, and using renewable substances such as plant carbon instead of fossil carbon. Helen Gordon talked about her company’s use of production and building wastes to reduce landfill and repurpose via design. Jules Haines takes a similar approach, and spoke of rehoming surplus fabrics, taking over ex-displays and clearance stocks from large suppliers, and reselling to extend product life. Simone Suss emphasised on the responsibility of the designer to educate the client on the types of materials to use that are sustainable and promotes healthy living in the home. And finally Mark Tremlett honed in on the importance of understanding the impact on human health from product off-gassing and toxic emissions, and the need for individual product disclosure on gas emissions.
But of course, sustainability comes with a price tag that not all clients are willing to pay for. This brought the panel back to client education and avoiding product specifications that are not sustainable in the first place. It was well worded by Edward, that the legislator is yet another important body responsible for the sustainability. movement, as the only way a company will embrace change is if it understands that all its competitors will also have to embrace that same change - in other words, a level playing field set by law makers with elevated environmental responsibilities is required.
Then there was the question of whether being responsible hampers creativity. Simone confidently discredits this notion, and said that instead, it encourages designers to consider “how can we make the product better”. She categorises this is as a different form of creativity, by evaluating business processes and forming creative solutions to reduce waste, keep products circular and reduce landfill.
Leaving the audience with small action points to take away, the speakers gave their thoughts on one small change each person can implement today:
Change your thought process - be grateful for the planet, the sole liveable systematic biosphere, and only then can you be more disposed to protecting it.
Consider how long a product will last before consuming it.
Make do and mend. We have become a ‘throw away’ society. Consider long term care and fixing of your possessions before consuming a new replacement.
Do small bite-size changes. Commit to a small fix, do it immediately, then move onto the next commitment (for instance, using LED lights).
Review where we are investing our pensions; many pension pots are invested in the oil industry. Speak to your funds manager to reconsider where to put your money.
Feeling slightly more empowered with actions to consider when creating new designs, the panel also left the audience with individual responsibilities that we are able to implement in our daily lives. It is almost inexcusable for one not to take some sort of step towards sustainability. So I might just go away now and take a second look at those lights at home…