WEEK 8: Design Ethics and Design for Social Change
LECTURE
Chris Thornton: Design Ethics and Design for Social Change
What is ethics for design and how is it/should it be applied to design practice?
Ethics is defined as the rules which are applied to determine right and wrong. This could also be described as a set of principles which guide us.
The lecture also included some quite lengthy, high school level discussion of the history of philosophical morality and utilitarianism. These videos were confusing, but eventually make the point that the consideration of ethics in design is a complex but essential part of design practice. Also, that rules and regulations expressed in black and white and using quantitative terms is problematic. So - principles are always better than rules.
Milton Glaser's 'road to hell' helps to guide the development of principles and personal design ethics, by asking the reader to consider whether 10 increasingly questionable projects would be accepted. The answer to all 10 for me, is no. However, ethics and economics are not easily separated as a young/inexperienced designer in the 21st century. Therefore perhaps Glaser's road has an inner and outer limit. In a number of disciplines, from the accreditation and regulation of working hours for truck drivers, to the certification of organic foods, and in terms of design ethics - the approach of moving beyond and behaving proactively is always preferable to a prescriptive rule-based system.
Personal Ethics of Design (DRAFT 1)
Developing a set of 'ethical principles of design' is probably the best approach to design practice. This could logically fit very well with a company mission/values statement, and also eventually form part of marketing. For example, the design process should include, directly or indirectly, at least 3 of the following:
Mike Monteiro: How Designers Destroyed the World
This is an enthusiastic and inspiring video about how design is about designing and taking responsibility for what goes out into the world, rather than doing what your client tells you to do even when it's stupid or wrong. Monteiro explains how important making mistakes and getting into trouble with bosses and clients are for your growth as a designer, and how clients will often try to push you around and make you do what they think is right.
VIDEO
Thomas Goetz: It's time to redesign medical data
This video is a very simple, basic and obvious no brainer wake-up call for the medical profession. Test results are reported in ways which are only accessible to doctors and technicians. They are poorly designed and rendered useless as catalysts for behaviour change and improved healthcare outcomes at a patient level. In today's world of infographics, Thomas Goetz demonstrates how medical results can easily, and cheaply be transformed into formats which are useful and powerful. His argument is so convincing that it literally makes doctors look stupid!
READING
Dilnot (2009) Ethics in design: 10 questions
This paper discusses the need for and importance of ethics and responsibility in design. Somewhat unconventionally, it begins with 3 lengthy, direct and scathing quotes which detail why designers are literally 'a dangerous breed' (Papanek, 1974).
The three quotes are discussed in their common thread of seeking to highlight (and change) the way in which consumerism and marketing have driven design so vehemently, but often without sufficient consideration for consequence.
These ideas can be described visually using the analogy of a volcano. The physical structure of the volcano above the earth's surface, known as the 'cone' is created only by the power of the magma which is released. The cone itself is therefore a product of, and can only take a form dictated by, this upward power, and the downward force of gravity.
In the case of design, the cone can be seen as what Papanek (1974) calls the 'permanent garbage' of over production, while the driving force of the magma is the the power and vigour of consumerism - as launched by those such as Lebow (1955).
In other words, design has been far too restricted, incidental and even accidental, and requires deeper philosophical and conceptual thinking in the future. Essentially, design ethics must consider humans in a sustainable and sensible future, rather than being distracted by the energy of market trends and consumer fads.
REFERENCES
Chris Thornton: Design Ethics and Design for Social Change
What is ethics for design and how is it/should it be applied to design practice?
Ethics is defined as the rules which are applied to determine right and wrong. This could also be described as a set of principles which guide us.
The lecture also included some quite lengthy, high school level discussion of the history of philosophical morality and utilitarianism. These videos were confusing, but eventually make the point that the consideration of ethics in design is a complex but essential part of design practice. Also, that rules and regulations expressed in black and white and using quantitative terms is problematic. So - principles are always better than rules.
Milton Glaser's 'road to hell' helps to guide the development of principles and personal design ethics, by asking the reader to consider whether 10 increasingly questionable projects would be accepted. The answer to all 10 for me, is no. However, ethics and economics are not easily separated as a young/inexperienced designer in the 21st century. Therefore perhaps Glaser's road has an inner and outer limit. In a number of disciplines, from the accreditation and regulation of working hours for truck drivers, to the certification of organic foods, and in terms of design ethics - the approach of moving beyond and behaving proactively is always preferable to a prescriptive rule-based system.
Personal Ethics of Design (DRAFT 1)
Developing a set of 'ethical principles of design' is probably the best approach to design practice. This could logically fit very well with a company mission/values statement, and also eventually form part of marketing. For example, the design process should include, directly or indirectly, at least 3 of the following:
- solve problem(s)
- be meaningful
- help people
- demonstrate and/or initiate change
- support sustainability
Mike Monteiro: How Designers Destroyed the World
 |
| Thomas Goetz |
VIDEO
Thomas Goetz: It's time to redesign medical data
This video is a very simple, basic and obvious no brainer wake-up call for the medical profession. Test results are reported in ways which are only accessible to doctors and technicians. They are poorly designed and rendered useless as catalysts for behaviour change and improved healthcare outcomes at a patient level. In today's world of infographics, Thomas Goetz demonstrates how medical results can easily, and cheaply be transformed into formats which are useful and powerful. His argument is so convincing that it literally makes doctors look stupid!
READING
Dilnot (2009) Ethics in design: 10 questions
 |
| Volcano diagram (www.worldatlas.com) |
The three quotes are discussed in their common thread of seeking to highlight (and change) the way in which consumerism and marketing have driven design so vehemently, but often without sufficient consideration for consequence.
These ideas can be described visually using the analogy of a volcano. The physical structure of the volcano above the earth's surface, known as the 'cone' is created only by the power of the magma which is released. The cone itself is therefore a product of, and can only take a form dictated by, this upward power, and the downward force of gravity.
In the case of design, the cone can be seen as what Papanek (1974) calls the 'permanent garbage' of over production, while the driving force of the magma is the the power and vigour of consumerism - as launched by those such as Lebow (1955).
In other words, design has been far too restricted, incidental and even accidental, and requires deeper philosophical and conceptual thinking in the future. Essentially, design ethics must consider humans in a sustainable and sensible future, rather than being distracted by the energy of market trends and consumer fads.
REFERENCES
- Dilnot, C. (2009). Ethics in design: 10 questions. In H. Clark & D. Brody (Eds.), Design studies: a reader (pp. 180–190). Oxford: Berg.
- Holt, D. (2002). Why Do Brands Cause Trouble? A Dialectical Theory of Consumer Culture and Branding. Journal of Consumer Research, Inc., 29(1), 70–90.
- Jackson, T. (Ed), (2002). The Earthscan Reader in Sustainable Consumption. Earthscan
- Lebow, V. 1955. Price Competition in 1955. Journal of Retailing. http://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/07/17/consume-consume-consume-with-the-false-promise-of-happiness/
- Margolin, V., & Margolin, S. (2002). A ‘social model’ of design: issues of practice and research. Design Issues, 18(4), 24 – 30.
- Naomi, K. (2000). No logo: taking aim at the brand bullies. New York: Picador.
- Princen, T., M. Maniates & K. Conca (Eds). (2002). Confronting Consumption. MIT Press.
- Poynor, R. (2009). Design is about democracy. In H. Clark & D. Brody (Eds.), Design studies: a reader (pp. 176–179). Oxford: Berg.
- Roberts, L. (2006). Good: an introduction to ethics in graphic design. Lausanne: AVA Publishing SA.
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