Design for the Planet
Helping Save the Planet with Graphic Design
My graphic design career is dedicated to protecting the planet.
When I started to become undeniably aware of the negative effects that humans have on our planet, I felt panicked and hopeless that – as a graphic designer – my profession was useless in aiding in conservation and sustainability efforts. I was convinced that if I wasn’t researching clean energy or inventing plastic-free packaging solutions, I wasn’t dedicating my career to anything important.
Slowly, I began moving away from corporate for-profit clients and found myself doing more and more meaningful graphic design work with conservation groups and nonprofits. It didn’t take long for me to realize that I was using my design skills and passion for conservation to help those on the front lines battle the environmental issues I cared so much about. I became a collaborator and a go-to for strengthening the voices of these conservation groups and nonprofits.
Not having a background in science, policy or engineering has actually proven to be a valuable skillset rather than a setback because I can see messaging from a completely different point of view than those running a campaign – the point of view that their every day supporters see.
What is green graphic design?
Green graphic design is a new, fast growing movement led by a group of passionate designers that want to use design to create positive change.
For me, green graphic design is a way to practice what I preach. I take my values of sustainability and environmental protection and apply them to every part of my business.
I work primarily with conservation-minded businesses and nonprofit organizations developing campaigns for fundraising efforts, creating visuals for supporting education and awareness around conservation issues, and acting as a visual translator between my clients and their target markets.
I also share insights on my Sustainability & Green Graphic Design Blog on how to be more environmentally-friendly. Check out questions to ask your printer about eco-friendly printing, tips for finding a conservation-minded graphic designer, or how graphic design can help save the planet.
I believe any business can and should go green -- being environmentally-friendly isn’t just for nonprofits and green graphic designers.
Dedicating my graphic design career to saving the planet has given me purpose and makes me proud and excited to be doing the work that I do. Thank you to all of the wonderful people and organizations who have trusted me along the way!
I Donate 1% of my Annual Sales to these Nonprofits
The Conservation Alliance
The Conservation Alliance protects outdoor spaces and wild places through the collective power of our member companies. Our members’ annual contributions go directly to our grants program. Each year, member companies select community-focused grantees across North America who are committed to creating a healthy, livable planet for all. Conservation today creates jobs, helps local communities, addresses climate change, and provides for future generations
Leave No Trace
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics provides proven, research-based solutions for the protection of the natural world. The organization accomplishes its mission by providing innovative education, skills and research to help people care for the outdoors. By working with the public and those managing public lands, the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics focuses on educating people—instead of costly restoration programs or access restrictions—as the most effective and least resource-intensive solution to land protection.
The Audubon Society
The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation.
Audubon’s state programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action.
I serve as a volunteer on the board of directors of the Five Valleys Audubon Society in Missoula, Montana.
Want to work with a designer that cares about conservation and the environment as much as you do?
“Seeing how Margo's creative ideas for layout and visual representation brought the document to life was inspiring. She took our plain document and photos and completely transformed it. Her creativity and understanding of the content and purpose of the document was right on, saving us an enormous amount of time and effort which as a nonprofit, is priceless.”
— Kate, Arkansas River Watershed Collaborative