Communicating Sustainability through Design within Retail Environments

Abstract: This thesis uses a systematic understanding of sustainability informed by human needs, learning and design theory to explore ways in which small retail environments can effectively communicate sustainability concepts. The envisioned outcome of successfully communicating and implementing sustainability within retail environments is a lasting change in people’s daily behaviors. The methods of literature review, surveys, human needs investigation and professional validation are used to develop a behavioral change model centered on human needs and learning as well as six communication guidelines. The appendix of this thesis contains a user-friendly pocket guidebook titled The Six Guidelines for Sustainable Retail. The guidebook is designed as a quick-reference tool for retailers, designers and employees. It contains principles, visuals and concepts of sustainability for daily communication and comprehension purposes.