Summary
The design industry’s relationship to the field of business has long been established and continues to become further entangled each year. But designers aren’t just satisfied with only disrupting the business sector—they’re keen to disrupt the social sector too. Unfortunately, the weaknesses baked into the discipline of design (that have been present from the start) are readily exposed when designers enter complex social issues and treat them like any other human-centered innovation challenge. The lack of a moral framework, let alone a set of ethical guidelines, put designers at great risk of doing more harm than good.
Key Insights
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Human-centered design can be weaponized to exploit rather than benefit individuals.
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Designers need to develop an ethical framework that guides their practice beyond aesthetics and functionality.
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Power asymmetry is a significant issue in design relationships, affecting decision-making and outcomes.
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The design industry often lacks a unified ethical standard, relying instead on individuals' personal ethics.
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Practicing saying 'no' to projects is essential in fostering accountability in design.
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Greater Good Studio has developed a method for evaluating the ethical implications of projects before engagement.
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The practice of 'breaking up' with clients due to ethical misalignments is crucial for responsible design work.
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Design has the ability to amplify both comfort and capital for the powerful, often at the expense of vulnerable populations.
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An ethical framework can help redistribute power in design, empowering those who are most affected by design decisions.
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A collective movement towards accountability in design can lead to meaningful and responsible changes in the industry.
Notable Quotes
"Human-centered design makes you feel like we're centering on humans, but that is not always true."
"We mostly have something called BYOE, or bring your own ethics, in the design industry."
"Power is the ability to change another person's reality."
"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any."
"Design helps build capital and seeks comfort."
"Not every project needs a response, nor does every RFP need a proposal."
"I believe having an ethical framework can help limit the harm typically done in design."
"Design is like rocket fuel to anything we attach ourselves to, especially technology."
"What if we could have a system of accountability that includes a code of ethics?"
"The design industry is primed for a movement towards ethical practices and accountability."
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