The Impact of Communication Design on Environmental Pollution

Adesile Mercy Funmilayo

doi:https://doi.org/10.59232/DSM-V2I3P105

Research Article | Open Access | Download Full Text

Volume 2 | Issue 3 | Year 2025 | Article Id: DSM-V2I3P105 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59232/DSM-V2I3P105

The Impact of Communication Design on Environmental Pollution

Adesile Mercy Funmilayo

Received	Revised	Accepted	Published
20 Jul 2025	22 Aug 2025	08 Sep 2025	16 Sep 2025

Citation

Adesile Mercy Funmilayo. “The Impact of Communication Design on Environmental Pollution.” DS Journal of Multidisciplinary, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 40-48, 2025.

Abstract

The accumulation of solid, liquid, and gaseous wastes has become a serious environmental menace through indiscriminate disposal, uncontrollable combustion, and the release of exhaust fumes. This research studies the impact of visual communication strategies on ecological pollution levels, examining both the causes and consequences of this phenomenon. The study focuses on improperly discarded materials that create dangerous living conditions and degrade the local ecosystem. While multiple elements contribute to environmental degradation, this investigation specifically analyses the importance of communication design in Oyo State, Nigeria. The study employed quantitative survey methods, collecting data from 200 residents in Ogbomoso through structured questionnaires. Researchers analysed responses using cumulative percentage calculations to identify key patterns and trends. Findings reveal the paradoxical nature of communication design. While contributing to pollution through excessive paper waste (accounting for 30% of total waste), it simultaneously offers solutions through awareness campaigns. A significant knowledge gap exists regarding proper waste disposal methods among residents, exacerbating pollution problems. The research concludes that targeted communication campaigns could noticeably improve waste management practices. Specifically, the study recommends expanding educational initiatives that demonstrate proper disposal techniques through visual media. These findings highlight the critical need for strategic communication interventions to address environmental hazards while minimising the design's ecological footprint. The dual findings underscore both the problem and potential solution inherent in communication design applications.

Keywords

Communication, Campaign, Environment, Ogbomoso, Pollution.

References

[1] Adewole, A. Taiwo, “Waste Management towards Sustainable Development in Nigeria: A Case Study of Lagos State,” International NGO Journal, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 173-179, 2009.

[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[2] Ishaq Isola Omoleke, “Management of Environmental Pollution in Ibadan, An African City: The Challenges of Health Hazard Facing Government and the People,” Journal of Human Ecology, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 265-275, 2004.

[Google Scholar]

[3] Samuel Ayodeji Omolawal, and Olamide Sarafadeen Shittu, “Challenges of Solid Waste Management and Environmental Sanitation in Ibadan North Local Government, Oyo State, Nigeria,” African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 129-142, 2016.

[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[4] S.A. Alaka, and Y. Osman, “Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste Management in Oyo State, Nigeria: Challenges and Solutions,” IIARD International Journal of Geography and Environmental Management (IJGEM), vol. 9, no. 6, pp. 78-90, 2023.

[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[5] Michael Ben-Eli, Sustainability: Definition and Five Core Principles, The Sustainability Laboratory Publication, New York, 2015.

[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[6] Elena Giovannoni, and Giacomo Fabietti, What Is Sustainability? A Review of the Concept and Its Applications, Integrated Reporting, Switzerland, pp. 21-40, 2013.

[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[7] Per Espen Stoknes, What We Think About When We Try Not to think about Global Warming, Chelsea Green Publishing, White River Junction, Vermont, 2015.

[Google Scholar]

[8] Jorge Frascara, Communication Design: Principles, Methods, and Practice, Allworth Press Communications, Inc., New York, 2004.

[Google Scholar]

[9] Robert Harland, Seeking to Build Graphic Theory from Graphic Design Research, 1^st ed., The Routledge Companion to Design Research, London: Routledge Ltd., 2014.

[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[10] Teal Triggs, “Graphic Design History: Past, Present, and Future,” Design Issues, vol. 27 no. 1, pp. 3-6, 2011.

[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[11] Godwin O. Uka, and Ikechukwu Anyaele, Visual Pollution in the Nigerian Environment: Source and Prevention, Ikechukwu Anyaele, 2022.

[Publisher Link]

[12] Emmanuel Bankole Oladumiye, B.A. Ogunlade, and F. Kayode Omole, “Posting of Graphical Bills: An Analytical Perception of Environmental Pollutions in Nigerian Cities,” Journal of Environmental Protection, vol. 8, no. 10, pp. 1100-1118, 2017.

[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[13] Blessing Chidubem Ario, Emmanuel Bankole Oladumiye, and Tope Israel Ibiwoye, “Adopting Comic- Style Illustrations for Promoting Environmental Sustainability,” International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 10-18, 2020.

[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[14] Emily Stevens, What Is Environmental Graphic Design (EGD)? AND Academy, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.andacademy.com/resources/blog/graphic-design/environmental-graphic-design/

[15] Mila Jones Cann, The 8 Types of Graphic Design, 99 Designs, 2014. [Online]. Available: https://99designs.com/blog/tips/types-of-graphic-design/

[16] Jorge Frascara, “Graphic Design: Fine Art or Social Science?,” Design Issues, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 18-29, 1988.

[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[17] Itoro Domobongse Ekong, Environmental Impact of Outdoor Advertising in Nigeria, pp. 129-137, 2020.

[Google Scholar]

[18] Sunday I. Bassey, and Salvation U. Eteng, “Impact of Outdoor Advertisement Posters and Billboards in the Nigerian Urban Environment,” International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, vol. 6 no. 6, pp. 1685-1688, 2021.

[Publisher Link]

[19] Donald A. Norman, and Andrew Ortony, Designers and Users: Two Perspectives on Emotion and Design, Italy, 2006.

[Google Scholar]

[20] Mark Aakhus, “Communication as Design,” Communication Monographs, vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 112-117, 2007.

[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[21] Aleksandar Donev, Typography in Advertising, Tomas Bata University, Zlín, 2015.

[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[22] Zeynep Melis Altinay, “Communicating Sustainability with Visuals: Issue Perception and Issue Engagement,” Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, 2015.

[Google Scholar]

[23] Deniz Deniz, “Sustainability Thinking and Environmental Awareness through Design Education,” Proceedia Environmental Sciences, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 70-79, 2016.

[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]