Study Task 1

Discipline: Print

Theme/ Issue: Sustainability 

Consider: 

What you know about it? 

It's easy to assume that the print industry has a negative impact on the environment. Things are, however, being done to combat this growing issue - like recyclable paper and ink, but it's not clear how effective is this.

Why is it interesting? 

I would love to work within the print industry when I am older, however, I would want to know how big the environmental impact really is. With digital media rapidly becoming so much more popular, it makes me question the relevance of traditional printed media when the impact is presumably so huge on the environment.  

What would you like to know? 

I would like to know specifically how the print industry effects the environment, and whether there are any solutions being put in place to fix them. Also, if the continuation of the print industry is fully justified when compared to its environmental impacts.

Itsnicethat.com. 2020. How Designers Are Utilising The Creative Possibilities Of Sustainable Print. [online] Available at: <https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/sustainable-print-park-sponsored-content-miscellaneous-180919> [Accessed 9 October 2020]. 

This article, instead of focusing on the negative impact that the print industry has had on the environment, highlights the positive changes being made to make production more sustainable. The article also goes into how it is possible to make 100% recyclable publications, using Kingfisher PLC's annual report printed by Park Communications as an example. Highlighting that these materials are now available in abundance, they explain that despite this, some companies will use sustainability within their branding, but not follow through - 'Greenwashing'. Mathew Lewis' publication It's Freezing In LA! is used as a good example of cutting down on paper waste, ensuring that they design their spreads so that the content doesn't take up an unnecessary amount of pages. Finally, the article ends on a positive note - explaining the excitement towards all of the sustainable possibilities within print.