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The journey of building a sustainable design practice
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 • Climate UX Interest Group
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The journey of building a sustainable design practice
Speakers: Tim Frick
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Summary

Watch this special case-study webinar with Tim Frick of Mightybytes, where we’ll explore the journey of building a sustainable design practice. Tim shares how sustainability became a core part of Mightybytes’ work, the wins and challenges along the way, and how the definition of sustainability continues to evolve. Discover why “green” design is not necessarily the more costly option but an opportunity, and learn actionable strategies—including tools like Ecograder and the WC3 guidelines—to integrate sustainability into your own design practice. Whether you're just getting started or looking to deepen your approach, this session provides insights and first steps to move forward.

Key Insights

  • Sustainability became a core part of Mighty Bytes' work in 2011, inspired by becoming a certified B Corp.

  • The B Corp certification process was eye-opening, revealing the broader definition of sustainability beyond environmental impact.

  • Eco Grader, launched in 2013, helps educate clients about the sustainability of their digital assets.

  • Continuous improvement and iterative learning are crucial to sustaining a successful design practice.

  • Engaging clients in sustainability practices requires proper education and awareness-building efforts.

  • Mighty Bytes aimed to model a better way forward in sustainability rather than succumb to the narrative of doom.

  • Collaboration and community-building are vital for driving sustainable practices in business.

  • Sustainable design and accessibility should be integrated rather than viewed as separate initiatives.

  • The new B Corp standards emphasize continuous improvement and rigorous benchmarking against social and environmental metrics.

  • The climate tech and sustainability movements are gaining momentum, but educating stakeholders remains a significant challenge.

Notable Quotes

"We started in 1998 with the idea of helping purpose-driven enterprises that were falling behind in the digital revolution."

"Becoming a B Corp in 2011 led us to redesign everything about the business."

"Eco Grader was designed to show clients how they could improve their sustainability metrics easily."

"Sustainability involves both ecological and social dimensions — it's not just about emissions."

"We quickly learned that if clients didn't understand sustainability, we needed to educate them."

"Practicing sustainability requires continuous learning and improvement, or you risk falling behind."

"If you don't want an accessible website, then maybe don't hire us."

"The biggest hurdle is convincing organizations that sustainable choices can actually improve their bottom line."

"Designing for sustainability can lead to profound collective action when people come together."

"Every organization has low-hanging fruit in their sustainability journey — find out what yours is."

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