OUGD505: Ethics and Sustainability

What does ethics mean?
'Moral principles that govern a person's behaviour'

'Electronic communication has now almost destroyed distance and time, as that we have little excuse for not being aware of the worlds ill. (Roberts 2009).

In groups:
Do you think ethics is important in graphic design?
Yes as, as graphic designers we have the opportunity to communicate and have a impact on certain issues and draw attention to them. If we don't use this opportunity to communicate what we are passionate about it could be deemed unethical e.g; vegan designing for a cattle farm etc.

What defines 'good' in graphic design?
Graphic design that combines both aesthetics, informed research and an ethical stand point of which the designer supports.

What does ethical practice entail in graphic design - what principles?

• Being eco-friendly where possible 
• Following your own morals but not forcing them onto others 
• Are you willing to compromise for a client? depending on the difference in opinion 
• Evaluating the brief/client against your own personal beliefs to see where you stand 

Steven Heller (2003):

'Good design is good citizenship' Milton Glaser 

'A designer must be professionally, culturally and socially responsible for the impact of his or her design on the citizenry' 

Katherine McCoy (2003):

'Remove our freedom of speech and graphic designers might never notice. We have train a profession that feels political or social concerns are either extraneous to our work or inappropriate' 

'What I have in mind is nurturing a crop of active citizens informs, concerned participants in society who happen to be graphic designers'.

A.C. Grayling (2007)

'Even if you don't personally agree with your clients message, if the message is a legitimate one, do you take a stand based on your own personal morality or do you act as a professional and continued to provide a service... If it really is a moral make-or-break decision for you, you don't do things you don't agree with'. 

'I've always thought that if you want to live a good life, and to do good in the world, you've got to be good to your self... The aesthetic becomes really vital to that because to live in a social and political setting which is pleasing and enticing and attractive and when full of interest detail, colour and movement increases consideration of the quality of our experiences. So there is a deep connection between the aesthetics and ethical'  

Jacqueline Roach 

'When it comes to graphic design isn't it better not to walk away from jobs on ethical grounds but to ask if there's some way that you can have influence'. 

Themes:

• Being a good citizen 
• Who to work for 
• Influence and persuasion 
• Aesthetics and ethics 
• Value and purpose 

Principles/ Ideas of Ethical Practice:

• Consider the ethical issues of a brief in relation with my personal morals to see how extensively they are effected. 
• Designing for a cause has the ability to impact everyone not just those involved/interested, aim to communicate to a wider audience when ethical issues are involved.
• In relation to ethical practice i personally think its a balance and heavily depends on the brief and the financial citation of the designer. 

Sustainability:

Social equality, enviromental stewardship and economic prosperity are all aspect of sustainability and in some areas they overlap e.g; the boundary between social and enviromental sustainability need to bearable and realistic. Something can be environmentally sustainable but might cost more money then not being sustainable but be affordable and viable. 

• Social sustainability (people and society) 
• Economic (capital and growth) 
• Enviromental (planet)

How does sustainability relate to ethics:

All aspects require an ethical standpoint in order to be considered, with sustainability being an ethical issue in it's self.

Eric Benson (2008):

Best practices to design sustainability 

Conscious design decisions:

• Design fro re-use/longevity
• Design for cyclically, not linearly 
• Choose recycled/ non-toxic materials 
• Minimise wate 
• Minimise ink coverage 
• Chose vendors who use renewable energy and employ socially equitable and environmentally friendly business practices. 

How practical and achievable do you think sustainability is?

Achievable to an extent but depends on budget and resources available to the designer.