“To be young and aware is to know you’re being lied to; to know that a bright green future is possible; to know that we can reimagine the world, rebuild our cities, redesign our lives, retool our factories, and incorporate Sustainable UX/UI Design. We can distribute innovation and creativity and all live in a world that is not only better than the alternative but much better than the world we have now.”
– Alex Steffen
What connects every person ever born? We all share this planet, our home, Earth. Sadly, we’re not just living on it but slowly destroying it. Everything we do leaves a mark on our planet—whether it’s streaming a movie on Netflix, scrolling through websites, or enjoying music on Spotify, each action comes with an environmental cost.
Consider this: According to Website Carbon, viewing a single web page produces an average of 1.76 grams of CO2. To put it bluntly, browsing through 10 web pages emits as much carbon dioxide as driving a car for over a kilometer! As awareness about Internet pollution increases, Sustainable UX/UI design isn’t merely a choice anymore; it’s an urgent obligation for designers. We hold the power to shape a digital world that either contributes to Earth’s destruction or supports its preservation.
The term “sustainability” was initially introduced at the first United Nations Conference on the Environment in 1972 but was solidified in 1987 by the Brundtland Report (“Our Common Future”) which also articulated the objectives of sustainable development.
Sustainability is defined by the UNCD as: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” It usually has three main aspects:
1. Social
2. Economic
3. Environmental
While ecological sustainability is paramount to many of us, sustainability must also be considered from social and economic perspectives. At its core, sustainability involves enhancing positive impact on the planet while reducing their negative effects. UX/UI solutions have great potential to create a significant impact on promoting sustainability across various dimensions.
Over the past decade, we have been slowly moving towards an internet-driven world. While environmental and accessibility awareness have been topics of conversation for years, the digital revolution has brought to our attention how the internet fits into the debate on sustainability.You might be wondering, how exactly is my browsing impacting the planet?
Let’s talk about how the internet impacts all three aspects of sustainability. Internet Live Stats. suggests that there are approximately 1.8 billion websites running online, drawing in over 4 billion daily visitors. This activity causes emissions of approximately 2,330,041 tons of CO2 and consumes 2,339,400 MWh of electricity every day. The internet is responsible for roughly 4% of all carbon emissions, a number that is only set to rise. Furthermore, it is wreaking havoc on the environment with its heavy infrastructure, demand for large amounts of energy, and carbon emissions.
Economically, while the internet fosters innovation and efficiency, it can also lead to increased energy consumption and e-waste from the rapid turnover of digital devices. The digital economy can sometimes perpetuate unsustainable consumption patterns, as the demand for new technologies and online services grows.
Socially, the internet is a double-edged blade, enabling the growth of awareness on a variety of topics like Inclusivity, Diversity and Climate Change. Consequently, it can contribute to digital divides, where access to technology is unequal, and promote misinformation, which can hinder progress on social sustainability issues.
Therefore, sustainable UX/UI design is crucial. It can help reduce the negative environmental impacts of internet use, while mitigating the economic and social downsides, ensuring a more balanced and sustainable digital future.
While we as designers can’t single-handedly fix this pressing issue, we can do our part to protect our home. Here are some things you can keep in mind while designing your next project.
1. Energy-Efficient UIs:
When designing your interface, minimize animations which in turn reduce CPU usage resulting in lower energy consumption. Implement adaptive brightness features to conserve device battery life.
2. Minimalist Design and Decluttering:
Minimalism is the new Black! Embrace minimalism to reduce digital clutter and improve load times. Focus on clarity and symbolism to create simple designs that enhance user experience.
3. Sustainable Typography Choices:
Believe it or not, fonts can make a difference. Choose fonts that are ink-efficient and have a lower carbon footprint. Usually, sans-serif fonts like Garamond and Century Gothic use less ink compared to others. Optimize web font loading strategies for faster and greener websites.
4. Green UX Research Methods:
Researchers can lead the way in sustainability! Embrace remote user testing to cut travel-related emissions. Go a step further by championing eco-friendly materials for your prototypes and research tools. Make your research process a beacon for a greener planet. Promote eco-consciousness by mapping stakeholders to include ecosystems and societal groups affected by digital products.
5. Colour Schemes & Themes
Opt for color choices that reduce screen energy consumption. Utilize color choices that slash screen energy consumption. Did you know that using darker colors can reduce energy usage by up to 60% on OLED screens? Dark mode is known to consume less energy, and is a currently trending theme.
6. Recyclable and Low-Impact Graphics:
Reduce and Recycle! Optimize images, icons, and illustrations for web use to reduce their carbon footprint. Ensure that images and assets have faster loading times and reduced bandwidth usage. Create and source graphics that are recyclable and reusable across projects.
7. Reducing CO² Emissions:
Minimize data-heavy components in design to lower CO² emissions. Craft your layouts with precision, maximizing space to cut down on scrolling and data transfer. Every pixel matters! Furthermore, use renewable energy sources to power devices and servers.
8. Optimize Resource Use:
Optimization is the next frontier in sustainable design. Write clean, efficient code to reduce computational resources and energy consumption. Incorporate recycled materials in the design and production of products and services to minimize environmental impact. Design for durability to ensure products and services last longer, promoting sustainability and longevity.
9. Encouraging Social Contributions and Awareness:
Foster positive societal impact through ethical communication and social contributions. Raise awareness on inclusivity, sustainability, and mental wellness through your designs. Design plays a significant role in mental health, impacting individuals’ well-being profoundly. Did you know? Over 15% of the global population experiences some form of disability that can affect web accessibility. Prioritize and create interfaces that are accessible, user-friendly, and promote equality.
10. Lean UX
Lean UX is a method of user experience design that prioritizes collaboration, iteration, and efficient validation through minimalistic tools and techniques. Eliminate waste in design processes by adopting Agile and Lean UX methodologies. Embrace user-centered design principles to enhance usability and reduce resource use. Leverage Design Systems for more efficient workflows and development, promoting sustainability through streamlined practices.
“We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”
– Anne Marie Bonneau
We should all be aware that we’ve got one planet, which has fed, sheltered, and nurtured us. I know starting your sustainable journey might be overwhelming, but remember that something is better than nothing; even the smallest changes can make a profound impact. Let’s ensure that in the future, we’re not regretting our inaction on a toxic, pollution-ravaged planet, but instead, celebrating our efforts and enjoying life on a flourishing, growing Earth.
