As wikipedia says, the intention of eco/sustainable design is to ‘eliminate negative environmental impact completely through skilful, sensitive design’. Ok. Fair enough. But why is it so cool today? Years ago eco design was seen as a ‘hippie’ thing. Nowadays it is linked to creativity and innovative design. The demand for this design is rising every day. For me, eco describes 2018, and being more eco is actually one of my good intentions for the new year. We should try to be fully aware of our actions and how they influence the global warming. You may question my statement and think differently, but I am sure that the human being is part of this global warming. Just to convince you a little bit more, I listed some of my reasons why you should pick eco design rather than other design. 

IT'S INNOVATIVE

Some designers spend months or even years finding an innovative and sustainable design, and come up with the most creative ideas which open your eyes.

Precious plastic by Dave Hakkens

Eco design can also be your own vintage design. Need new furniture? What about renovating your old furniture? You don’t need to be a qualified furniture restorer to pimp that old dresser with some new, fresh colours. The only things you need are a Sunday afternoon, some sandpaper, some paint and maybe a wallpaper. All of this gives you 3 advantages. First: by using second hand furniture you barely waste embodied energy which you probably would if you buy new non-eco furniture. Second: it’s way more cheaper than new furniture. Third: you did it so you have every reason to brag about it. See, eco design doesn’t always have to be new, giving objects a second life is also good for the environment as you do not need new products to be manufactured.

Renovated furniture by lesjolismeubles

Tolhuijs’ products are significant for their upcycling method. Upcycling is the new recycling as you waste even less energy and create more qualitative products. As example their popular FENCY made out of old fences. 

A SMALL THING YOU CAN DO TO HELP PREVENT GLOBAL WARMING

We will maybe not see the biggest consequences of what we are doing to this planet. However, our children, grandchildren and further generations will. Feel free to have a different opinion, but I do care about this and that's also why I wrote this blog. I want further generations to be able to enjoy things in nature I am enjoying now. I recently saw a heartbreaking video on the instagram account of one of my favourite nature photographers Paul Nicklen. Paul posted a video about a polar bear dying due to the climate change which is also caused by humans and in this way also our design processes. By seeing this video I realised even more how important it is to be aware of these environmental changes and to change small things in our lives. Buying eco design is one example as it is intentionally designed with special consideration for the environmental impacts of the product during its whole lifecycle.

MANY DESIGNERS ARE INCREASINGLY RESPONDING TO THE GLOBAL ISSUES

‘Seriousness dominates’ says Londons Design Museum curator about last years exhibition. "There is a seriousness in the nominations this year," she said. "Perhaps there's less exuberance, less fun, less innovation for innovation's sake.”  "Instead, designers are looking to create cleaner water, purer air, less pollution, less waste. All of these issues seem to be key.” Next to the designers exhibited at the Design museum many other designers seek to change their design thinking process. Underneath a list of my favourite eco designs. For more info about the product click through.

Paper pots by studio MUN 

Current window by Marjan van Aubel

Glacier by NOWlab

Sea Me by Nienke Hoogvliet

Pink marble cork collection by Melanie Abrantes

Less Sustainable chair by Giorgio Caporaso

Parley trainers by Adidas and Parley Ocean Plastic

La cuisine by Daria Ayvazova

Ore streams by Formafantasma

No waste collection by Ikea

People’s Pavillion created for the Dutch design week

All of these examples show me that it is possible, some processes are already very advanced, some some just begun their experimenting. The importance is that they are doing it, and so should you. No more excuses to not consider eco design.