Task 2

There is one major factor that is affecting the world, and as a designer I want to contribute to solving this problem, Sustainability.

"Design is a very powerful tool. It elevates the likelihood of certain kinds of choices and shapes certain kinds of behaviours. Most designers balk at the idea that design is a form of social engineering, but Hilary Cottam, director of RED at the UK Design Council, maintains that 'if you don't look at what any design is governing, then you are being governed by it.' (Winhall, Jennie, Is Design Political. www.worldchaning.com)

Politically companies are not wanting to admit a problem with sustainability as this in the long run is going to loose them money, more energy efficient design business are going to pay less towards electrical companies and therefore less profit. As a designer i solve problems in a successful way for the client so my business would inform clients of these factors and how both me as the designer and them as the client can contribute to solving the problem.
In the UK, business that run more eco friendly, more energy efficient and use more sustainable materials are eligible to pay a reduced tax fee, so not only are the clients getting reduced prices but so am I as the designer.

Running a more sustainable business will be expensive to set up and probably for a few years after that but in the long run the price to run efficiently ill reduce and both client and designer will pay less from then on.

Business that offer a more sustainable service will appeal to clients more, even if they are offering the same prices, the fact that it’s a ethical procedure will make then client feel that they are helping to save the world for no extra price, and I think this is the factor that will sway a lot of clients when they are looking into design businesses.

The client will get into the pattern of buying of my business and could potential bring in new business by word of mouth, this can then be rewarded by a discount, or more service for their money. This also creates a deeper relationship between client and designer as there is a coomon interest that they can both relate to the genuine interest. In the Uk alone the ethical spending has risen 9% is the last year, This is the highest persent Globaly along with France and Spain, however some of the lowest spending on ethical services are the US, this would suggest that my market lie within Europe where their values are obviously more with ethics than price.

To become a more ethical business, I would need to get the technology that is now available e.g. for hand print based work I could purchase chemical free paints and inks. Also working with print companies that use non-toxic toners, oil based inks and new technologies such as waterless printers. Another very simple way is using recycled materials. Using these technologies are not only give the customer peace of mind but where every they go in the world, they will not be polluting the earth even when put into land fills (if not recycled) will not produced any harmful chemicals.