A Designer’s Responsibility to Go Green

Art can be many things. It can be beautiful to some and strange and confusing to others. Where design and art are concerned, beauty is by far in the eye of the beholder, but no matter what the design says artistically or what crowd it appeals to, design has a certain obligation to fulfill when it comes to the materials that are used in its creation.

Using recyclable materials to create works of beauty and prestige is an art form in and of itself. It reflects a certain sophistication and responsibility that is difficult to measure and impossible to truly match. It is with great pride that the designer takes up the challenge to use only recyclable materials in their work to create pieces that exhibit both an aesthetic beauty and a dedication to conservation.

The topic is relevant to the times, not only because of the recent green movement, but of the emergence of new plastic materials that has been hitting the marketplace in the world of modern design. Plastics, as most people know are not a material that is easily degradable and most design pieces don’t make it to the recycling bin. These pieces represent a form of art this is socially unaware of the impact they are imposing upon the environment by spreading these beautiful, and yet negligent designs throughout the world.

However, the responsibility does not lie solely with the designer, but also with the consumer. The designer is simply fulfilling a demand in order to support their art and their business. If the consumer begins to demand more environmentally conscious designs, it will be easier for designers to make the transition in their materials.

Designs that incorporate recycled plastics, metals, and glass – materials that are all used with an awareness of the environment – are all excellent choices when it comes to selecting a design that has staying power.

Here at The Iris Design Studio we use mostly recycled materials in all of our extraordinary light fixtures and chandeliers. Instead of standing apart from nature, they take on a hidden aspect of the outdoors in the way they meld industrial and recyclable materials like glass and metal with the exquisite and varied colors that reflect the colors found throughout nature.

For more information about the Iris Design Studio and our environmentally conscious designs, please visit our website at www.IrisDesignStudio.com.