Posts Tagged ‘Design Ethics’

Over the holiday vacation I happened to see the movie “The Day the Earth Stood Still.” While I thought that the movie was mediocre, it did raise an interesting point; does change only really happen when there is no hope for return? One of my core beliefs as a designer is to challenge clients and help them evolve as an organization, however if the message of this movie is true it may be pointless. If you have been following this blog for any amount of time now you know that I feel strongly about encouraging change, however even I acknowledge there is only so much you can do to help a client.

Earlier today I was tipped off by a Positive Space reader to an article that sitepoint recently published. If you have been following Positive Space for a while, then you undoubtedly know that I have a problem with both spec work and 99designs (previously sitepoint contests). However most recently the minds behind sitepoint have stooped to a new low. I say this because the article “Design Contests Made Me A Better Designer” that was recently published is nothing more than a piece of propaganda literature.

When you are focusing on putting together an amazing book to land a great job, you will take any advice you can find. However, have you ever stopped to think about where that advice was coming from? Not all professionals are created equally, and the advice of some is not as valuable as that of others. I never really saw this as an issue when I was a student, until I witness first hand a situation that left me utterly disgusted.

There is a long standing ethical discussion in the design profession about whether designers should design for products or services that the designer does not believe in. The ultimate worst-case scenario is obviously the tobacco industry. While typically the discussion is based upon the power of design to evoke a perception that is contrary to the product’s true properties, I would like to discuss a different side of the situation. Those with the power to manage their own accounts have the ability to turn down work that is against their beliefs, however what about those designers who do not.

A While back I wrote a couple of articles about sitepoint contests and how the service was nothing more than a spec nightmare. At the time I asked the positive space community to boycott the service and spread the word that it was not ethical. Then a couple of days ago I was back on sitepoint looking through the websites currently for sale, when I decided to see if the number of contests had declined. After clicking the link I was surprised to find that the contests section had become 99designs.

I would typically just ignore the site and consider it another site that hoped to prey on the ignorance of unsuspecting designers if not he image that the site portrays. Not only does the site say that it is run for designers by designers, but that it is doing them good by providing this service. There are so many things wrong with this statement that I am sure it needs no explaining.

This article is a direct response to Andy Rutledge’s article “A Sense of Non-Commitment,” if you have not seen the article I would suggest that you give it a read. The article is well written and though out as is typical of Andy. I have however been freelancing on the side for some time now, so naturally this article peaked my interest. I however have never considered it to be a conflict of interest with my employer and have even discussed the subject with them before. Andy brings up a number of points in his article that I agree with, however I believe that there are some items that he may have missed that also effect such a complex ethical situation.

The one and only area where I do not agree is where Andy states “perhaps things at your real job might get so backed up that you have to leave my project languishing while you take care of your real work.” Now I believe that this is a valid concern of a client you may take on for freelance work, however you should be upfront about your main job, and the fact that you are completing the project in your spare time. If they have a problem with this, then they most likely will not use your services, which at that point you could suggest the services of your full-time employer.

That said, here are some tips that I have compiled to help you remain professional and still utilize your entrepreneurial spirit.