Rethinking print design : The impact of sustainability on the future of print
Romano, Camille (2014)
Romano, Camille
Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu
2014
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2014052710352
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2014052710352
Tiivistelmä
Sustainability is a current design topic of both interest and concern. After decades of scientific research, the environmental impact of human activity on nature is now widely recognized. Print, when it involves paper, is a discipline of design that is especially demanding on these resources. Print has been the primary target of action of the green revolution. This explains partially its steady decline and why print design needs to reinvent itself to continue to be a relevant means of communication.
The thesis aims to show that sustainability, instead of being the downfall of print design, is actually a phenomenon that has the potential to reinvent this discipline. The theory part gives an overview of the conceptual, technical and economical innovations sustainability brings to the print industry. The background research has been performed in order to develop the hypothesis that sustainability is redefining print design and providing it with a credible and relevant future among digital supports.
The practical part of this thesis consists of conducting a qualitative research in form of focused interviews of four professionals in the field of sustainable print design. The aim was to collect empirical data in order to gain a deeper understanding on what is sustainable print design. Eventually, this data confirmed my above-mentioned hypothesis. Moreover, I had the intention to carry the thesis question further by approaching the subject from a more concrete standpoint. I took the opportunity to collect empirical data in order to understand the factors and approach that led to developing a successful sustainable print business.
The results suggest that education on sustainability is an essential power for awareness to environmental issues that can translate later on, on the successful implementation of sustainable practices in a professional workplace. Personal motives showed to be necessary to develop thoughtful and innovative creative frameworks. Finally, the respondents unanimously agreed that sustainability will redefine print design and give it a relevant status among digital technologies.
The findings indicate that sustainability is an inclusive phenomenon that other areas of design need to take into account to continue to be relevant in the future. This is the case of web and digital design which environmental impact, though little-known, represent a new, colossal threat for the environment.
The thesis aims to show that sustainability, instead of being the downfall of print design, is actually a phenomenon that has the potential to reinvent this discipline. The theory part gives an overview of the conceptual, technical and economical innovations sustainability brings to the print industry. The background research has been performed in order to develop the hypothesis that sustainability is redefining print design and providing it with a credible and relevant future among digital supports.
The practical part of this thesis consists of conducting a qualitative research in form of focused interviews of four professionals in the field of sustainable print design. The aim was to collect empirical data in order to gain a deeper understanding on what is sustainable print design. Eventually, this data confirmed my above-mentioned hypothesis. Moreover, I had the intention to carry the thesis question further by approaching the subject from a more concrete standpoint. I took the opportunity to collect empirical data in order to understand the factors and approach that led to developing a successful sustainable print business.
The results suggest that education on sustainability is an essential power for awareness to environmental issues that can translate later on, on the successful implementation of sustainable practices in a professional workplace. Personal motives showed to be necessary to develop thoughtful and innovative creative frameworks. Finally, the respondents unanimously agreed that sustainability will redefine print design and give it a relevant status among digital technologies.
The findings indicate that sustainability is an inclusive phenomenon that other areas of design need to take into account to continue to be relevant in the future. This is the case of web and digital design which environmental impact, though little-known, represent a new, colossal threat for the environment.