This is a transcript of the video Icograda sustainability standard promotional video version 0.9
(Text on screen: “The future of civilization is now our common design project” – David Berman, FGDC, R.G.D)
Most designers now get that their projects need to be sustainable.
(Text on screen: How much?)
But most of us are not sure how much is enough. What if designers could measure design projects to make sure they’re part of the solution rather than part of the problem, and then label the ones that are so?
(Text on screen: Solution – Problem)
(Text on screen: Icograda IDA s12345678910)
Introducing the Icograda S Number, a symbol that can track projects that conform to the Icograda Sustainability Standard, the only international standard to certify sustainable communication design according to four categories– social, cultural, financial, and environmental sustainability.
(Text on screen: Social, Cultural, Financial, Environmental)
The S Number is one number that follows every project around, including print projects, web projects … or any kind of project.
Here’s how it works. Professional designers who are members of a professional society that itself is a member of Icograda participate in a voluntary self-assessment process. First, a designer or team goes to the Icograda sustainability website, registers their project, and plans how to earn at least 50 points in each of the four categories of sustainability. Designers get points by choosing any number of sustainability criteria from within each category.
Then, once the project is ready to produce, the designer revisits the website and scores again. If the project still has over 50 points in each category, it has earned its S Number, which goes on the final product. The S Number is actually a URL. So now anyone can get online and know who designed the project and how it earned its points, as well as report a problem. The S Number can also be presented as a QR code.
For the first time ever, there’s a chain of custody between the designer and the consumer. Anybody can post a comment on a self-assessment they believe is incorrect.
Designers registered in the system can actually update the information and change its number of points. A project with less than 50 points in each of the four categories of sustainability gets reported back to the system administrator. Each designer pays a nominal fee of $10 a year to be part of the system: This is how we validate who you are.
(Text on screen: $10 per year)
Every two years Icograda’s jury of experts from around the world reconsiders the rated items and how many points each is worth. The outcome? A happier future for all. For more information please visit our website.
(Text on screen: Icograda IDA
Animation: Tom Pokinko
Storyboard: Tom Pokinko, David Berman)
Reviewed April 13, 2014