I. Statement of Values

I’m a person first, a designer second. (Ethics for the starving designer)

My intent with this code is a commitment to helping me make the best conscious decisions for my consumers, clients, co-workers, vendors, society, and myself. I believe that by creating this ethical code and abiding by it, I’m contributing towards the social responsibility of design as a profession.

Through this code, I’ll evaluate the types of projects I want to work on and the ones I don’t. For example, I want to work on projects that are meaningful to me and society. Projects that I believe will make the community a better place. I’ll assess clients and projects based on the following values.

RESPONSIBILITY

As an ethical designer, I’ll take responsibility for my actions and promote positive impacts through my projects by taking into consideration the environment, end-users, clients, co-workers, vendors, society, and myself. I’ll design and communicate with my stakeholders in a way that will enhance and protect their interests.
IDEO, editor. “The Little Book of Design Research Ethics.” Vol. 1st, 2015, pp. 15–16.

INTEGRITY

As an ethical designer, I’ll design with honesty, mindfulness, and trustworthiness to create stronger relationships that will positively impact my stakeholders. I’ll do my best not to mislead consumers or leave them with false impressions.

IDEO, editor. “The Little Book of Design Research Ethics.” Vol. 1st, 2015, pp. 18.

RESPECT

As an ethical designer, I’ll design with awareness and consideration of others’ points of view, experiences, and cultural differences. I’ll treat consumers as people rather than subjects.

IDEO, editor. “The Little Book of Design Research Ethics.” Vol. 1st, 2015, pp. 14.

CREATIVITY

As an ethical designer, I’ll create solutions to problems that will not only solve but bring positivity and innovation. “Creativity is an investment in solutions that make a difference, that can change a trajectory, save a business, create positive change in the world and makes us feel alive.” 

Wright, Andy. “The Value Of Creativity.” Medium, Never Not Creative, 17 Apr. 2018, medium.com/never-not-creative/the-value-of-creativity-bb004d44b8a0.

FLEXIBILITY

As an ethical designer, I’ll adapt to different circumstances, to make sure my designs are not deceiving, manipulating, discriminating, hurting, or causing adverse environmental impacts. 

EMPATHY

As an ethical designer, I’ll make sure to design with my end-users in mind to keep a positive human experience at the heart of what I do. To create empathy, I need to embody all the other values previously mentioned in this statement. It will be my mission to adhere to these values and do my part to elevate design as a profession.

IDEO, editor. “The Little Book of Design Research Ethics.” Vol. 1st, 2015, pp. 8.