Here's how you can launch a thriving sustainable design business.

For Setting up sustainable design business, the first step is to learn the ABC. This is essential to create a good product that is effective and don't hurt the environment. Any product manager can tell you a known concept - "life cycle assessment" is useful. It's a roadmap that shows the environmental impact in totality. Additionally, nature is full of amazing ideas! Biomimicry is basically copying nature's smart designs to create sustainable products. The initial hard work and the knowledge gathered help the team solve problems, make right choices, and design things that help both people and the planet!

I would say read a book or two on the subject, then as you are introduced to this vastly evolving world you can hone in on the specific areas of focus. I will say after reading my first book there were so many things I wasn't paying attention to it became overwhelming. Give yourself grace and absorb at a comfortable pace. Some of the knowledge is delivered in some hard ways, but its adds focus to the huge scope of the problem. Before putting yourself out there just realize you wont know it all today tomorrow or next week?. Just continue growing and teaching and learning. One great book to start is the Carbon Almanac or for more design focused work you can read Green Graphic Design by Celery Design.

Understanding the community you are speaking to can really resonate with a business owner who is stuck in business as usual mode. By showing real data and movement toward sustainable practices and products it helps to confirm that these are just a good idea to invest in, they are necessary for future survival (business and planet) I also like to switch the focus from the deliverable to their raw product. The environment will effect materials supply chain too, so that thing they are making could be harder to make, could be more expensive, or may not exist- all bads for a business. Use data and research, there are tons of studies showing businesses a myriad of reasons why they should be actively pursuing sustainable business models.

Making a strong business plan is important for any successful business. It gives goals, notes how to achieve them, and financial forecast. For sustainable business, think about eco-friendly materials, sustainable supply chain etc. This is continuous work, keep tracking business, keep improving and share learning with others for sharing environmental improvement. Remain honest about the objective, progress and learning. This helps business stand out and benefits both the environment and overall success.

This is one I have to follow for myself. As a creative we often know we can create, but that is never the issue in business, business is! Having a plan is a great roadmap for how to navigate the journey forward, but predictive models could also help you prepare for things yet to come. If you don't have a plan you can find yourself like I did right before the pandemic. Hemorrhaging clients and wondering what was happening! Then the world burned (and still is) and I told myself that I needed to be prepared. It was the first thing I did with my refresh. Is it perfect(no) has it changed (yes). What is most important is that I use it as a beacon to point to and reflect against. Its been really useful!

People won’t hire you if you don't have proof, and nowadays with can a and adobe express anyone can be a “designer” a professional polished portfolio with case studies and insights sets you apart. This is the first attention getter. Quality writing and mockups to fill in the imagination gap gives clients more insights, but add some conceptual drawings and notes and you can add the strategy, which people find very valuable. A design portfolio- its necessary! At least you don't have to mount and matte unique pieces and carry it all around town (those were the days! 😳)

Networking and collaborating is very important in any job, but especially important in design where who you know is even more important that what you know. I was a designer a long time before I got my break to actually work at an agency (over 10 years) I knew a lot and was still overlooked, but when I combined that with important C-level employees I could pitch, I became a designer. Its important to stay ontop of current methods and processes, but also nurture your network. You never know when someone you know may need you, or you can help them.