How can you use data to showcase sustainability in your portfolio?

1 Choose relevant data

The first step is to choose the right data to support your sustainability claims. You need to consider what kind of data is relevant, reliable, and meaningful for your project and audience. For example, if you are designing a green building, you might use data on energy consumption, carbon emissions, water usage, and waste management. If you are creating a social impact campaign, you might use data on awareness, engagement, behavior change, and outcomes. You should also look for data sources that are credible, transparent, and up-to-date.

3 Integrate data into your story

The third step is to integrate your data into your portfolio story. You should not just show your data, but explain how it relates to your design process, decisions, and outcomes. You should use data to highlight your challenges, solutions, and achievements. You should also use data to demonstrate your impact, value, and differentiation. For example, you can use data to show how you identified a problem, researched a solution, tested a prototype, and evaluated a result. You can also use data to show how you improved a situation, solved a need, or created a benefit.

4 Provide context and interpretation

The fourth step is to provide context and interpretation for your data. You should not assume that your data speaks for itself, but provide some background and explanation for your audience. You should also compare and contrast your data with other sources, benchmarks, or standards. For example, you can provide some information on your data collection methods, sources, and limitations. You can also compare your data with industry averages, best practices, or goals.

5 Use data ethically and responsibly

The fifth step is to use data ethically and responsibly in your portfolio. You should respect the privacy, security, and ownership of your data and the people behind it. You should also avoid misrepresenting, manipulating, or exaggerating your data. For example, you should obtain consent and permission to use and share your data. You should also cite your data sources and acknowledge your collaborators. You should also avoid cherry-picking, distorting, or misleading your data to fit your narrative.

6 Update and refine your data

The final step is to update and refine your data in your portfolio. You should keep track of your data and check for any changes, errors, or feedback. You should also review your data and look for any gaps, inconsistencies, or opportunities. For example, you should update your data regularly and ensure its accuracy and relevance. You should also refine your data and make it more precise, comprehensive, or insightful.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?