Ecological trends in the processes of production and design as its integral part are based on the understanding of the inseparability of the artificial and natural environment. It is necessary to follow the principles of sustainable development to preserve the environment and humanity. The article makes an attempt to identify the features of the ecological approach in design and to examine environmental requirements in design. These requirements still do not have clear criteria, they regulate, first of all, technological parameters. The methodology of the study is based on the methods of cultural, art-historical and comparative analysis, the systematisation and generalisation of ecological requirements for design objects. The author of the article carries out a comparative analysis of the methods of environmental monitoring, cultural analysis and morphological analysis for environmental impact assessment in the design of material objects and objects of the virtual environment. The article considers the specific features of the design process and the functioning of design objects in the digital environment. The study is carried out on the basis of scientific publications written by cultural studies scholars, design theorists and practitioners in the sphere of design. The author studies regulatory documents in the field of production and design, websites on ecological issues.