Abstract:
The scope of this study is to engage designers to evaluate the extent to which they act as agents of change
towards achieving a greener world, as their outputs have a significant bearing on how communities
consume products or services. The study provides an audit of how the three key pillars of sustainability,
namely economic, environmental and social are promoted in the creative industries in Zimbabwe. Five
distinct areas in the creative industries were selected for this study: fashion design, interior design, product
design, graphic design and multimedia design. Five in-depth interviews were conducted in each sector from
which the design agent was purposively sampled. The interviewees were purposefully sampled using their
present and past creative work as a key indicator for providing a meaningful contribution to the study.
A huge gap with regards to knowledge on sustainability issues was identified amongst designers across the
sectors, athough opportunities for improvement were also identified. The study highlights the need to
improve sustainability education as a concept for both designers and consumers of products and services.
The study concludes that creative industries in developing economies like Zimbabwe have significant
potential to contribute towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
