Conceptions of Sustainable and Green Entrepreneurial Art & Design Projects: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

This qualitative study explores how art and design students create eco-friendly and sustainable entrepreneurial projects. The study investigates students' incentives for engaging in these initiatives, the issues they encounter, and the methods employed to manage these challenges. The data is obtained from 12 graduating students who successfully completed their sustainable and environmental-friendly entrepreneurial art and design projects. Data is gathered through qualitative techniques, mainly from semi-structured interviews, and it was later subjected to thematic analysis. The findings reveal that students' passion for sustainability and ecological concerns and their aspiration to effect positive societal change serve as prime motivators for their involvement in such undertakings. Hurdles faced scarce resources, knowledge gaps, and the intricacies of harmonizing creativity with eco-friendliness. However overcome, students employ various strategies like collaboration, exploration, and experimentation to these obstacles. The long-term outcomes of these projects are highlighted in the study as personal growth and professional progress, with a positive mark on our environment and society. The study proposes the integration of sustainability and entrepreneurship education within art and design curricula as concluded. It entails that sustainable and environmental-friendly entrepreneurial art and design projects have the potential to advance the cause of sustainability and promote the principles of green entrepreneurship.