Towards Tangibility

Organizations and Designers on the Brink of Sustainability Transition

Design plays a central role in shaping a sustainable future. Towards Tangibility is an interview-based study that draws on the insights of 27 interviewees from various fields and companies regarding sustainability issues. The report compiles perspectives on what defines a responsible designer and what skills are needed in the workplace. What do sustainability requirements mean for design teams and organizations? Explore the findings of the study! 

The interviewees represented companies from various industries 

Responsible design is needed across all sectors and throughout many stages of the value chain — from designing products, spaces, and services to shaping processes and strategies. The qualitative interview study included 27 participants from 23 organizations involved in the sustainability transition. These organizations included construction companies, interior design firms, design-intensive companies, design agencies, and digital design companies. Approximately half of the interviewees were designers, while the other half worked as sustainability experts. Two-thirds held managerial or executive-level positions. 

Regulation Driving Action in the Sustainability Transition 

Although greenhouse gas emissions in Finland have decreased due to reduced use of fossil fuels, the coming decade will require significant system-level changes. New requirements are pushing companies to develop more sustainable business strategies, as this is essential for value creation and addressing global challenges. Broad collaboration with various stakeholders is key to advancing sustainable choices, fostering innovation, and influencing decision-making, while designers focus on creating reasonable and sustainable solutions. 

Science-based data and calculations guide the implementation of sustainability goals, and continuous training and communication with staff help embed a culture of responsibility within organizations. The sustainability transition demands flexibility and a readiness to learn, enabling organizations to stay at the forefront of development and respond to future challenges. 

Designers Guide People Toward a Sustainable Lifestyle 

Design plays a crucial role in advancing systemic sustainability solutions, as it shapes how people use resources, live, and consume. Transitioning to a more sustainable lifestyle requires changes in people’s behaviors and daily habits. According to the study, the core of user-centered design lies in influencing sustainable choices, thereby also promoting responsible business practices. 

Designers are involved in developing new materials, transforming production methods, designing products and services, shaping business operations and strategies, marketing, graphic design, packaging design and developing re-use and recycling, which bring valuable materials back to circular use.   

Designer – these skills are relevant 

The skill requirements for designers are team- and position-specific. Designers can leverage their existing expertise to enhance sustainability, deepen their understanding of systems thinking and sustainable materials, and develop their ability to compare solution options using life cycle analysis. To address information overload and complexity, visual skills are valuable for making sustainability information tangible. Facilitating workshops promotes collaboration, which is essential for the transition. Designing digital solutions requires responsibility expertise and innovation capabilities. The sustainability transition demands that designers work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and apply regulations in their work. 

What Does the Sustainability Transition Require from Organizations? 

The sustainability transition presents organizations with numerous challenges and opportunities, and the actions it necessitates are crucial for success. A strategic approach to change, combined with broad collaboration and partnerships, is essential. Collaboration enables advancements such as cleaner energy, the utilization of side streams, and the development of innovations. It enhances the impact and cost-efficiency of sustainability efforts. Active cooperation to improve the comparability of calculations and develop shared practices is vital, as information forms the foundation for sustainable decisions. 

Organizations must identify the informational needs of their industry, supply chain, and internal operations while investing in continuous learning and deepening expertise. Adopting circular economy business models, optimizing the lifecycle of materials, implementing regenerative design, and developing responsible digital solutions are critical strategic investments. 

Supply chains must be encouraged to develop new innovations so the entire value chain can transition toward more sustainable practices. It is also crucial to understand current regulatory requirements and create processes to ensure compliance. Design and development teams must have a clear understanding of the fundamentals of regulations to align their work with legislative standards. 

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Sustainability Study_Summary

28.01.2025
6 MB