Sustainable Graphic Design Standards—Design Studios

The Sustainable Graphic Design Standards allows anyone to immediately place a design studio into a sustainable context by providing a reliable third-party assessment that specific and rigorous sustainable design criteria have been met. All projects listed in the Case Studies section, and/or bearing the Re-nourish verification symbol, have met multiple criteria within each of the categories listed below.

For a list of the full design studio criteria, please contact standards@re-nourish.com.

General operations

In-house operational practices must include specific written policies covering materials handling, and waste, water, and energy reduction practices.

Housekeeping and maintenance

Studio must take specific steps to reduce toxic materials use, increase energy efficiency, and maintain facilities in an environmentally-conscious manner.

Purchasing

Studio must implement specific purchasing policies covering equipment, client-related materials, office supplies, and other inventory and services. Studio must take specific vendor management steps to minimize environmental and social impact of supply chain.

Employee management

Studio must have active policies covering living wages, sustainability management, employee education, commuting options, and other employee-related environmental policies.

Design workflow

Studio must implement particular design methodologies (based on Re-nourish's Sustainable Design Roadmap) aimed at reducing environmental impact of studio and client design projects.

Marketing and client relations

Studio must integrate specific marketing and communications policies to reduce environmental impact, and support client and public education.