A designer’s dilemma
Can professional success and ethical work go hand in hand?
It’s not uncommon for designers to feel a sense of anxiety or conflict when it comes to balancing their desire to create ethically sound work with the realities of the industry and the wider world.
In the field of design, designers are often faced with decisions that can have real-world consequences, and it can be challenging to navigate these complexities while also producing work that is meaningful and impactful.
Some designer’s may feel torn between creating work that makes a positive difference in the world and creating work that is profitable or meets the demands of clients or stakeholders. Others may struggle with the morality of certain industries or products, such as creating designs for companies or organisations that have questionable ethics or values.
It’s been a while since I’ve been facing this dilemma, and I have 2 things to say about it:
1. It does not go away (or atleast it hasn’t yet, for me) I wish you luck!
2. What helps is acknowledging that as a designer, you have the power to make a difference with your work and to use your skills to drive positive change. And that is a big win in itself.
Some ways you can do this include focusing on creating designs for clients or organisations that align with your own personal values, and looking for ways to use your work to raise awareness of important issues and make a positive impact on society.
It’s also important to remember that you are not alone, there are a lot of groups and communities of designers who shares the same values and struggles as you.
At the end of the day, it’s also important to practice self-care and be kind to yourself. It’s a complex topic and it’s okay to feel anxious and torn at times, while also taking actions to address your concerns and strive for your ideals.
