WINNIPEG—The Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC) has adopted a working definition of sustainable communication design to improve industry practices. The volunteer-based organization discussed and approved this definition during its annual general meeting last month in Winnipeg. It states: “Sustainable communication design is the application of sustainability principles to communication design practice.

Practioners consider the full life cycle of products and services, and commit to strategies, processes and materials that value environmental, social, cultural and economic responsibility.”

 

A guide of values and principles, which supports the definition, emphasizes three main points: the evolution of the GDC and the graphic design industry, commitment to improve the natural environment, and raising and fostering awareness of sustainable communication design practice.

In a press release, GDC president Rod Roodenburg stressed the group’s role in being proactive about such issues. “The GDC recognizes that design is a key component in changing the future of the world’s health,” he says. “We need to consider not only the work we produce for our clients but how we run our design practices.” Contact: www.gdc.net