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dt_faul_2013_batalha

Sustainable communication Design: principles and practice

Name
Maria Batalha
Year
2013
Institution
Lisbon School of Architecture Universidade de Lisboa
Supervisors
Marcus Ormerod, Fernando Moreira da Silva
Discipline
Communication Design
Scope
Sustainability
Taxonomy
Praxiology
Type
Theoretical
Language
English
Wordcount / Pagecount
155,400 / 444
Joint supervision
No

Principles of sustainable communication design and its practice through people-centered research.

Research Process (4 methods)

1. Literature review N = x
Exploratory Qualitative

x

2. Questionnaire N = 33
Generative Qualitative

Undergraduate design students

3. Graphic diary N = unspecified
Generative Qualitative

Undergraduate design students graphic diaries

4. Questionnaire N = 33
Generative/Evaluative Qualitative

Undergraduate design students

Knowledge Transfer & Exchange

Knowledge Exchange (PhD Process): Exchange with Academia

IK&T Academia Design Practice Society
Context No No No
Vision No Yes No
Means No No No

Recommendations (6)

R154 Artifact, System & Service Design Dissemination & Knowledge Mobilization Priority: High

Develop, prototype, and validate the “Sustainable Communication Design – toolbox” as a practical, research-supporting instrument that translates the thesis’s principles and process into everyday design work.

Scope:
Meso → Macro
Time Horizon:
Short → Medium
Evidence Strength:
Indicative
Feasibility:
Medium-High
R155 Process & Organization Methodological Priority: High

Implement the Sustainable Communication Design Process in higher-education classroom projects and case studies so teachers can build a comprehensive pedagogical approach aligned with contemporary sustainability challenges.

Scope:
Meso
Time Horizon:
Short → Medium
Evidence Strength:
Indicative
Feasibility:
High
R156 Process & Organization Evaluation, Monitoring & Impact Priority: High

Run professional-context pilots that apply the methodology in real studios/agencies, with concrete exemplification of how communication designers can respond to sustainability challenges in practice.

Scope:
Meso
Time Horizon:
Medium
Evidence Strength:
Indicative
Feasibility:
Medium
R157 Theoretical & Conceptual Participation, Equity & Ethics Priority: Medium-High

Investigate how communication design can address cultural sustainability and ‘personal fulfilment’ in less material, less appearance-driven ways, shifting value toward internal development, belonging, and deeper human fulfilment.

Scope:
Micro → Macro
Time Horizon:
Medium → Long
Evidence Strength:
Exploratory
Feasibility:
Medium
R158 Participation, Equity & Ethics Theoretical & Conceptual Priority: Medium-High

Develop a dedicated ethical framework for Sustainable Communication Design, detailing how responsibility for actions and consequences should guide decision-making in projects, messages, and professional conduct.

Scope:
Meso → Macro
Time Horizon:
Medium
Evidence Strength:
Exploratory → Indicative
Feasibility:
Medium
R159 Policy & Standards Resourcing & Sustainability Priority: Medium

Study sustainable policy and sustainable-growth opportunities in communication design, including how sustainability can function as a catalyst for innovation, differentiation, and entry into new markets rather than as a constraint.

Scope:
Macro
Time Horizon:
Medium → Long
Evidence Strength:
Exploratory → Indicative
Feasibility:
Medium