On November 4, 2024, over 80 designers and creative professionals gathered at Pentagram’s New York studio for an engaging event featuring Angus Hyland, Pentagram Partner, and Smruti Sriram, CEO of Bags of Ethics. Attendees from esteemed organizations like Parsons School of Design, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Apple joined to explore sustainability in design.
The evening showcased the “Bags of Art and Design” project, featuring 12 unique tote bags first displayed at the London Design Festival. Angus introduced the project, highlighting the creativity behind each design, while Smruti discussed Bags of Ethics’ commitment to sustainable practices throughout the product life cycle.
Bags of Art & Design
Collaboration between Pentagram, Cass Art and Bags of Ethics.
Smruti outlined seven key stages that illustrate their approach to sustainability:
- Raw Materials Extraction: Prioritising sustainable farming and long-term partnerships with suppliers.
- Design & Development: Focusing on durability and minimising waste through innovative use of deadstock materials.
- Manufacturing: Ensuring ethical sourcing and waste reduction in production processes.
- Transportation: Sourcing locally and encouraging bulk shipments to reduce carbon emissions.
- Consumer Use: Promoting the reuse and repurposing of products to extend their life.
- Recycling and Upcycling: Designing products for easy composting and repurposing.
- Disposal: Offering compostable solutions and encouraging donations to minimise landfill waste.
This event highlighted the essential role of designers and brands in driving sustainable practices while maintaining artistic integrity. As discussions around eco-friendly design continue, the insights shared by Angus and Smruti inspire a collective commitment to a more sustainable future in the design industry.
Bags of Art & Design
