28.01.26 / NEWS

Our founder Mirella Arapian recently authored Design for Good: Designing Better Futures for the inaugural issue of Designfully magazine. The article explores what it means to lead with purpose in design, and why now, more than ever, our industry must rise to meet the moment.

The Challenge Before Us

The design industry stands at a critical turning point. Global challenges like the climate emergency, social inequity, cultural vulnerability, and economic instability demand more than aesthetic solutions. They demand design that drives meaningful change.

"Design for Good" isn't a trend or marketing phrase. It's a call to embed purpose and intention into every choice we make. It's about recognising that design shapes perceptions, challenges systems, and creates solutions that better serve humanity and the planet.

Voices Leading the Way

For the article, Mirella spoke with seven design leaders whose work embodies the Design for Good ethos:

– Aimee Kilmer (Good Stuff Partners, USA)

– Amber Bonney (Edison Agency, Australia)

– Anna Carlile (Design by Nature, Australia)

– Marianna Vardanyan (Proper Studios, Armenia & UK)

– Sarah Gross & Cass Mackenzie (Storyfolk, Australia)

– Sophie Thomas (Thomas.Matthews, UK)

Their insights reveal what it takes to build agencies grounded in values, measure impact beyond revenue, and balance idealism with the realities of running a sustainable business.

Key Insights

Purpose must be foundational. For these leaders, values weren't added later, they were the reason their studios exist. From refusing clients that don't align with their mission to embedding sustainability into every project stage, they prove that integrity and business success aren't mutually exclusive.

Impact is measurable. Traditional metrics like revenue and growth are important but they don't tell the full story. These agencies track donations made, carbon emissions reduced, behavioural shifts, and communities strengthened. They're building frameworks that prove design creates lasting change.

A Call to Our Industry

The stakes are high and half-measures won't cut it. If design is to fulfil its potential, we must hold ourselves accountable—to our clients, our communities, and the planet.

This means challenging systems and rejecting projects that compromise our values. Advocating for inclusivity and sustainability. Committing to continuous learning and collaboration. As architects of desire, we have a responsibility to make the right choices attractive, accessible, and transparent.

The future of design isn't only about what we create but also the legacy we leave behind.