stilinski sustainability standards
each new project in our studio is run through these 8 standards as a checklist.
if it doesn’t align, it either needs redesigning or isn’t the right fit.
1. Ecological Regeneration
Prioritize regenerative practices over “less harm.”
Source materials from renewable, low-impact, or circular systems.
For digital projects, reduce energy intensity (e.g., lean code, efficient hosting, carbon-neutral providers).
Commit to giving back more than is taken (e.g., planting, water replenishment, habitat support).
2. Human & Social Wellbeing
Center projects on increasing human flourishing through holistic health, dignity, equity, intentional community.
Ensure community involvement in design.
Create products and experiences that nurture mental, physical, and social wellness.
3. Cultural Stewardship
Respect and amplify cultural knowledge; specifically Indigenous, local, and traditionally marginalized voices.
Commit to ethical storytelling; avoid exploitation, tokenization, and harmful stereotypes.
Design with cultural longevity: create projects that honor history while shaping future narratives.
4. Economic Responsibility
Transparent and fair labor practices across the value chain.
Prioritize local economies and small producers where possible.
Avoid exploitative financial models; create equitable pathways for profit and ownership.
Measure success not just by ROI, but by return on community, ecology, and culture.
5. Design for Circularity & Longevity
Build systems, products, and media with repairability, reuse, and adaptability in mind.
For physical goods: prefer recyclable or biodegradable materials.
Avoid obsolescence by creating modular, upgradable, and timeless designs.
6. Transparency & Accountability
Publicly share sustainability goals and progress.
Use clear metrics for ecological, social, and cultural impact.
Invite community and peer review on major projects.
Build feedback loops into every initiative.
7. Interconnected Thinking
Consider the full system impact of every project:
Upstream (how materials/ideas are sourced)
Midstream (how they are used)
Downstream (how they live on, recycle, or return to the earth/community).
Balance innovation with responsibility — just because we can doesn’t mean we should.
8. Education & Empowerment
Design projects that don’t just “do good” but teach others how to sustain good.
Share knowledge to accelerate collective progress.
Empower users, communities, and partners to adopt sustainable practices themselves.
