Illustration is quite often used by brands hoping to appear greener, for the precise reason that it can lack that sense of distinction – its potential for universality is exactly what makes illustration both such a powerful medium and, in the wrong hands, such a misleading one. “We’re fascinated by the potential illustration has for operating on both an objective-representational and subjective-emotional level,” says Calvin. A lot of Companion—Platform’s illustrative style stems from observational drawings, so it’s often detailed, almost scientific. This helps it to feel specifically relevant and considered, but, as ever, an illustrative style has to be underpinned by considered research – you can’t skip that step.
Speaking with Companion—Platform and hearing their thoughts on design, it’s hard not to feel that the world needs more designers who see their craft through an ecologist’s lens. What’s important to note, though, is that this isn’t just good practice for projects in the environmental realm – this is also, quite simply, good design. The best and most thoughtful designers around the world, no matter what field they operate in, spend their time considering context, thinking about community, pushing for specificity. Yes, this approach makes them more environmentally astute designers, but it also makes them better designers, full stop.
