Icons of Change: How Green Horizons Inspires Students to Visualize Sustainability

In an exciting blend of art and environmental consciousness, students in the Erasmus+ co-funded project ‘Green Horizons’ (Project Number: 2024-1-LU01-KA210-VET-000243985) are creating impactful icons centered on sustainability and climate action. This initiative, part of Green Horizons’ mission to integrate sustainability into education, encourages students to explore climate themes through design. By fostering a deep understanding of ecological challenges, Green Horizons aims to systematically embed sustainability into study curricula across Europe. Two students who has truly excelled in this initiative Alina Roßler and Leonie Ehlert. Their thoughtfully designed icons not only capture the essence of sustainability but also resonate with young people, encouraging them to adopt eco-friendly habits. Their visual style is both engaging and accessible, creating icons that inspire users to think twice about their daily actions and their impact on the environment.

Credit: Alina Rößler and Leonie Ehlert

Credit: Alina Rößler and Leonie Ehlert

Credit: Alina Rößler and Leonie Ehlert

To gain more insight into her design journey, we had the opportunity to ask Alina and Leonie a few questions about her experience with the Green Horizons project, their creative process, and the deeper meanings behind their designs. Here’s what Alina and Leonie had to share:

1. What inspired you to join the Green Horizons project, and how has it impacted your understanding of sustainability?
   Green Horizons was part of our portfolio exam, so at first, it was just something we needed to do. But as we got into it, we started to see how design can really play a role in addressing issues like climate change. And we realized that even small design decisions can contribute to a bigger message, which was a pretty eye-opening realization for me.
2. Could you describe your workflow for creating these icons? What are some of the tools and techniques you rely on most?
   We started the process of creating the icons by gathering inspiration from various sources, such as images and other icons. After that, we discussed what we liked and didn’t like about each idea. We used Figma to design the icons, and while some came together quickly, other designs took a few attempts before we were happy with the result.
3. What values or messages are most important to you when designing icons focused on climate action and sustainability?
   The main goal of our icons is to make them immediately understandable while still engaging enough to make people think. We focused on creating designs that are balanced, visually appealing and easy on the eyes, ensuring they capture attention and effectively convey the intended message.

The students’ commitment to meaningful design exemplifies the spirit of Green Horizons, proving that art can be a powerful tool in the fight against climate change. As their icons circulate, they bring a refreshing perspective to the importance of sustainable choices, showing how creative expression can lead to real-world impact.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Anefore asbl. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.