by Nattana Johnson, owner, MGC
I know it sounds very cliche, but we all need a little inspiration now and again–and like this adventurer, we can make a difference (without the extreme sun exposure). Here are three little ideas that could make big differences, but first take a moment for some inspiration.
Roz Savage rows to spread awareness
1 – Packaging – Did you know that 10% of environmental impact is from packaging? Sadly, 30% of food sold in developed countries such as the US is thrown out before it is even touched. The waste is astronomical. What can you do? Think about the packaging of your product. You might be able to redesign it to have less waste, less material and take up less room…saving considerable resources. We can also help you choose appropriate materials that are easily recycled or come from recycled products.
2 – Envelope re-design – This is so basic, yet so smart, and it will save you money instantly. The typical #10 envelope is poorly utilized, often 100% trashed. We should look at the items we send in envelopes. Can billing be self-contained, to be designed as a self mailer? This can save you from using an envelope at all. What about the ability to send things digitally or pay bills online, rather than sending a check and using the envelope. Or can we use an envelope that can then be used as a return envelope as well? Think about self-mailers. Lastly, can you reuse envelopes if they were designed to be part of something, such as an entry form?
3 – Bigger, bolder, brighter is not always better. We try and convince clients that a blinking light on your website is not a good idea (they do not always listen), and the same is true in print, if you are creating a brochure, poster, book, whatever it may be. Hire someone who specializes in page layout who can creatively organize the information to use fewer pages, smaller sheets, and, in the end, less paper and less ink. If done creatively, this can be more effective. In Europe they often use the mini-brochure, and people then can put it in a wallet – easier to carry, easier to remember. Think about the end result. Sometimes less info is more as well. Telling someone too much might simply confuse them.
