Don Dorman, grandfather of user experience design, says, ‘’We live in the age of technology and luxury, but we also live in the age of waste.’’ Unsustainable practices have caused extreme climate issues on Earth. The problem of climate change is massive. It is an impact of years of human activities on Earth that caused floods and droughts. Environmentalists suggest creating sustainable products that provide long-term solutions, not damaging the environment. They go beyond saying recycling is not enough and design products for reuse. 

Recyclable, compostable, and reusable products are essential to combat climate change. A sustainable design product considers the entire life of the product. The product is optimized for reuse. Meanwhile, digital products might think sustainability is relevant for applications. However, new industries like crypto mining can have ecological impacts. Besides physical products, digital products can be energy-efficient. This means they must work on older devices to reduce energy consumption. And slow the wastage of older devices. 

Another way to look at sustainable products is the example of Ride-sharing apps. They provide carpooling, reducing the need for every individual to own a car. It reduces gasoline use and increases sustainability. Meanwhile, the design industry is rapidly changing with the integration of artificial intelligence and other technologies, significantly impacting the design industry, whether digital or physical. Brands are getting aid from generative AI to reduce waste and get inspiration for sustainable design solutions. They are using generative AI tools such as Adobe Firefly and ChatGPT to create aesthetically appealing designs that can be used in sustainable products. 

How AI is assisting in creating sustainable design solutions 

AI explores solutions that humans have yet to consider. The decision to create a sustainable product occurs in the early stage of the design process. The time you are imagining what you are going to develop. In the early stage, if you use AI tools, they will guide you towards sustainable solutions. Generative AI generates ideas that you would never have thought of.

Meanwhile, if you provide them with real-world scenarios, it will create solutions that consider the impact on the environment. For example, you can ask what material to use for a dress design to make it long-lasting. AI applications help determine what gets created and is about to be developed globally. 

Artificial Intelligence’s role in reducing waste material

AI can optimize material usage through the identification of patterns. It helps to identify reusable materials and promote the use of sustainable materials. In manufacturing, it can optimize the process. Brands can use AI to analyze the manufacturing process. The tools suggest using materials efficiently. They can identify loopholes in the process and save energy. 

Sustainable design decisions

Decisions must be based on accurate data and real-world scenarios. Understanding the negative consequences is important for making sustainable design solutions. Recognizing the impact of a sustainable product can help make better decisions. Responsibly use AI for decisions and implement the sustainable framework. 

Optimize renewable energy

One valuable application of AI is optimizing renewable energy sources. It analyzes power generation from solar, wind, and hydropower to gain insight into power demand and promote renewable energy sources. 

Use of Social Media to gather insights

AI can gather data from social media through reviews, comments, shares, and impressions. It can use the data to analyze human behavior, which gives insights into any product or service. The data can be used to make decisions regarding products. It can tell what kind of products are sustainable for a longer period and which have a short life. Moreover, it can help spread awareness about sustainable products.  

Social media is the best tool for sharing sustainability information. It will help the industry inform people why they should move towards sustainable products. It is also a great marketing tool. Brands can generate appealing stories, posts, and images using generative AI. For example, an AI painter can help create artistic images of nature. These images can be used for marketing campaigns and to attract an audience to sustainability. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) applications in the design industry are broad. They cover different phases of product design. AI helps generate brand assets to start a new sustainable business or gives ideas to bring sustainability into existing companies. However, it is essential to explore the possibilities that generative AI brings to the world.