Sustainability in Design

In an ever changing industry, new issues and challenges are constantly emerging. At Toucan, we're aiming to embrace these, and in the important case of sustainability in design, we are striving to create projects that are inspiring yet responsible, with the future always in mind!

We believe in creating innovative and long-term design solutions for you- our lovely clients and friends. We've developed the framework below based around the four E’s of sustainability to ensure that issues are carefully considered within every design project.

Education

A relevant concern is the issue of professionals thinking for the short term, rather than adopting long-term design strategies. Short-term thinking may provide immediate design solutions, however, the resilience and strength of the concept can become limited over time.

            Our proposal for improving this approach is to continually educate and encourage professionals to focus on customer needs, in line with their business plans and ethics. In focusing on the customer and their aims for each project, Toucan look to provide design solutions that are future-proof and fulfill the spectrum of requirements.

Economy

            With an ever-changing economical climate, organisations are having to adapt practices in order to retain customers and grow within their sectors. Consumers and professionals are often conditioned with certain expectations of how a product or service should be, and this issue needs to be taken into serious consideration.

            As a forward thinking agency, Toucan ensure we are aware of changes and advancements within our industry and beyond into the wider business community. We take into account the benefits of change, and propose design solutions that make enterprising and economical sense e.g. designing minimalist packaging for products. This reduces costs and waste, whilst showing off the product honestly. Making these benefits clear to all parties means that confidence is promoted in the product and shows that traditional design methods can be positively challenged.

                       

Equality

            An important element of sustainability at Toucan is taking and giving in equal measure. In a highly competitive design marketplace, the notion of sharing best business practice can often be dismissed, however businesses can still make positive connections without losing originality or diluting the qualities that make them unique.

            Toucan’s proposal for improving equality in design is to form constructive relationships with businesses and individuals alike. Engaging within the community on a variety of different levels through attending industry events, workshops etc enables effective communication with each other and ultimately raises the standard of work across the board. Engaging with individuals via placements, consultations etc allows new avenues of creativity to be forged and explored, keeping our approach fresh and up to date. 

Ecology

            Toucan prides itself in being a socially responsible company. We take actions to reduce our environmental impact in order for our business and the environment it sits within to be sustainable and healthy. An issue often raised within the business community is that individuals are not always aware or prepared to take individual responsibility themselves regarding ecological concerns.

            At Toucan, we aim to inspire our staff (and clients/friends/relatives/pets where possible) to make changes alongside their business lives. As well as developing our environmental and carbon management policies, we encourage individuals to carry these small changes over into their homes e.g. reduce, re-use and recycle.