In today’s rapidly evolving creative industry, there’s one concept that stands as a pillar of integrity: ethical design. But what is ethical design in the creative industry? Simply put, ethical design is the practice of creating products, services, and systems that respect and uphold the principles of fairness, inclusivity, and sustainability. It encourages transparency, honesty, and integrity in the design process. Moreover, it helps to ensure that products and services are accessible and beneficial to all users, including marginalized groups, such as people of different races or genders. One real-world example of ethical design promoting gender equality can be seen in the development of of safety apps. These apps, when designed ethically, take into consideration privacy, data security, and the unique needs of their user base, demonstrating understanding and working towards solutions of issues faced by women.
So, how can design be ethical? This is where the concept of ethical design thinking comes into play. Ethical design thinking is a framework that encourages designers to consider the ethical implications of their designs at every stage of the design process. It urges designers to think about how their designs could impact the users, the environment, and the society at large. A perfect example of that can be found in the realm of User Experience (UX). For instance, an app that values user privacy and doesn’t exploit user data for profit exhibits ethical design in UX.
In the context of ethical design, consequentialism – an ethical theory that emphasizes the outcomes or consequences of actions – can work an instrumental guide. Designers using consequentialist ethics are concerned with the potential impact of their designs to their users. They’re not just focused on the immediate user experience but also on the broader implications of their design choices on society, the environment, and future generations. For example, through a consequentialist approach, a designer working on a social media app would think about how their design choices, such as the app’s algorithm, can impact users’ mental health or spread misinformation, and they would work to mitigate any negative outcomes.
But caution, one common criticism of consequentialism in any context (including design) is its overemphasis on the outcomes or consequences of actions. This means that the morality of an action is solely determined by its result, and not by the intention or the act itself. Now, one could think “okay, fair enough… I’m not concerned with the morality of any action, just with its practical outcomes”. However, using a consequentialist approach could potentially allow for justifying questionable methods if they lead to a seemingly beneficial outcome. For instance, a design process might involve gathering sensible user data to create a more personalized user experience. While the outcome might be well-received, the means of getting there (i.e., exploiting user data) are ethically questionable.
Virtue ethics is another branch of ethical theory emphasizing moral character. It also plays a crucial role in ethical design thinking, as it encourages designers to act on virtues like honesty, courage, and empathy, promoting moral excellence in their work. This doesn’t just apply to the end design but also to the design process, which means that they should foster an environment of respect and integrity. For example, a designer guided by virtue ethics would be transparent about their work, open to criticism, and always eager to use their skills for the common good, perhaps by designing interfaces that promote positive social interactions and discourage hate speech.
However, even virtue ethics falls short in certain aspects. One significant critique is its subjective nature. As virtue ethics emphasizes moral character rather than providing clear-cut rules, it leaves considerable room for interpretation. This can lead to differing views on what constitutes a virtue, potentially causing inconsistencies in decision-making. Furthermore, virtue ethics focuses heavily on individual morality, which might neglect the broader systemic issues influencing design decisions.
Despite the complexities and potential shortcomings of different ethical frameworks, the importance of ethics in design cannot be overstated. Engaging with these ethical theories – be it consequentialism, virtue ethics, or others – is a vital step towards more responsible and inclusive design. Ethical thinking encourages us to navigate the intricacies of design decisions, to reflect on our actions and their impacts, and to aspire for designs that are fair, sustainable, and beneficial for all. Yes, ethical frameworks might not be simple to grasp, and they often present us with more questions than answers. But in this questioning and reflection, we find opportunities for growth, innovation, and progress towards a better, more fair design landscape.
That said, it’s also worthy noting that someone needs to ensure that the principles of ethical design are put into practice. It is up to us, designers, to create products or services that are concerned with fairness, transparency and that benefit their audience in an ethical way, not just for profit. We must understand that ethical design isn’t just a passing trend — it’s the future of the design industry, which needs to evolve towards the biggest and necessary changes that need to be made. Pluse, as we move towards a more interconnected, inclusive world and social + environmentally concerned world, the importance of ethical design will only continue to grow. Designers who adopt and advocate for ethical design are needed to lead the changes towards a more equitable and sustainable future.