Every year, in the design blogs, magazines, books, and podcasts we hear about the social activism projects of designers and their influence on the design community. Every time I come across one of these articles I read over it and ponder what the end means of the designer are. I believe that we as designers must be ethical in our practices because we shape the end meaning of client’s messages. I believe that we hold this power and we should use it responsibly, however I do not see why we have this intrinsic duty to support activist causes. I believe that to be a good designer I must meet the needs of my clients, and also remain skilled in delivering their messages. However, according to the design press this is not all that I should be doing. I should also be seeking opportunities to raise awareness for all of our nation’s largest problems.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t object to these activities, but are these activities actually altruistic or are they really self-serving? Is the designer really more interested in riding the wave or popularity generated by the buzz surrounding these efforts, or are they generally concerned for the cause? I remember in college the entrepreneurship ethics class I took where we discussed whether an entrepreneur could ever possibly be altruistic. Most designers are self-employed and by definition would be considered entrepreneurs. Does this ultimately matter for the cause? I think not, they will benefit either way. However this argument of the self serving nature of designers does make me question the “need” for designers to perform acts of raising awareness created by the design press. Are the designer’s really just trying to win the next years design award or are they really interested in the hurricane victims, or the portrayal of women in advertisements?
Ultimately I believe that the intentions are well, but the design press should stop praising these individuals so much. Not because these individuals are undeserving, but rather to diminish the number of wannabe design rock-stars that will profiteer off their buzz. Vanity Fair media critic Michael Wolff recently criticized designers and their motives at a Designism 2:0 presentation, and I thank him for his statements. Maybe his outspoken comments will help other designers to see the need for them to care, not as designers, but citizens. If you are unaware of what I am talking about, the great Steven Heller has given far better a write up about the situation on design observer than I could ever hope to offer.
So in the end I say be an activist but as a human, citizen, or concerned parent, not a designer. As a precaution I would like to state that this is not an attack on any individual or being, but rather statement made open minds and stir discussion. Feel free to comment and let me know how you feel or let me know if you think I am totally off the mark.
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December 31st, 2007 at 12:25 am
Oh, I agree totally!
December 31st, 2007 at 1:14 am
Our field is one of pure motives and artistic feeling. It would not do to have it sullied by members twisting our fine traditions by projecting them into causes helping the less fortunate, those in genuine need. That these ‘designers’ drag us all down into the muck of charity and good works is untenable; we do not engage with the world and its problems, and their desire to link their profession with their passions in other areas is laughable, naive, and unprofessional.
I, for one, will turn up my nose and anyone who tries to include me by proxy in their virtuous deeds. Their base, desperate desire to have a positive impact on the world degrades me. Designers, think of those among your teachers who were mean in their grading! Consider your work colleagues who are miserly and elitist! Your charity is cold to them, and you are shunned.
December 31st, 2007 at 8:03 am
Hi, very interesting points brought up here. I agree that there i a fine line between doing ‘charity’ work for recognition as your first priority and doing it for the right reasons.
However- as a designer with my own personal agenda and opinions of current causes/issues, why wouldn’t I want to inject some knowledge or perspective into the world via a poster or another kind of visual entity? I feel that if someone has a specific talent, trade or knowledge that can be used to do good- all the better!
But beyond the power to shape the end-meaning, designers end up influencing culture- and this could certainly be abused, which is why any such endeavor should be approached with research and care, but certainly not discouraged :)
January 12th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
>>So in the end I say be an activist but as a human, citizen, or concerned parent, not a designer.
I honestly could not agree with you more. A designer has the same amount of power to change the world as anyone else, be they an accountant, a banker, a plumber.
This doesn’t make a designer’s roll in making the world a better place, it gives us more allies in the struggle.
January 25th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Yes and no. Yes in the sense that every talented designer wishes to effect the thoughts of others with their tiny bit of influence. The way they see something or how the world looks to them. And flagerantly altering images in magazines so that people’s perspectives are flat out changed… Now I think thats bad design, and even worse manipulation.
I think supporting causes is important, but its our choice. So you dont have to support anything and you can still be good. Its not connected to design in my opinion.