There’s been a lot of talk recently — and by recently, I mean in the last few years — about social responsibility, and how it relates to a slew of different industries. With some industries (big auto, big oil, big pharma, mining, defence; need I go on?) the respective implications and implementations are obvious. And while these industries have such obvious pitfalls (with such drastic ramifications), it’s all too easy for Designer Joe and Designer Jane to assume that their industry is blameless. Most of our output is digital, and we (usually) don’t accept jobs from socially reprehensible clients — heck, our work spaces are so minimalist that even when we dopollute it, it’s still clean. We’ve covered all our bases, right?
Wrong! Social responsibility extends beyond carbon emissions and child labour. It means taking ownership of our impact on every aspect of our society — Political/Legal, Cultural, Demographic, Economic, Natural, Technological and any others you might think up.
Here are a few simple ways to ensure that our impact on the world is more good than evil.
1. Recognising that you do have an impact (and identifying it).
There’s no sidestepping the issue here — your actions make a splash. The first step to being more socially responsible is simply accepting this fact, and identifying the key areas for improvement. You can do this by…
2. Thinking outside your own box.
Projects in our industry are almost never the sole work and responsibility of one person; the nature of the design beast is highly social and group-oriented. And while things might seem peachy from the confines of your cubicle, you should also consider how your work will affect others involved. Yes, the die-cut business card you created in Adobe InDesign is only a digital file, but that fancy shape might create a lot of waste for your printers — how can your work help them be more socially responsible?
3. Watching what you’re using (and how you use it).
When the project has physical results, it’s fairly easy to monitor and control the materials with which the end product is created. We can usually specify the card or paper stock, inks, and binding materials for a company brochure, for instance. Something that is perhaps less obvious — but with just as much impact — is the way we use these materials. Does the job necessitate such an excessive use of ink on white stock — and if so, might you benefit from tinted stock instead? Often the entire gamut of variables is open for modification, only the client or designer is unaware, or unwilling to make the effort.
Digital projects are a bit more deceptive, as their impact is not always evident. Consider the tools you use — are they open-source/community-developed (WordPress, MoveableType, jQuery library) or commercial (Adobe Flash, Microsoft ASP.Net)? Are they standards-driven (HTML, Javascript, PHP, Firefox) or proprietary and profit-driven (ActionScript, ColdFusion, Internet Explorer)? Edit: Proprietary products do provide employment and fund R&D, however there is no reason that this can’t be provided by open-source, standards-compliant projects. Look at Google for proof. As with design for a physical product, we aren’t always allowed — whether through industry habits, client preferences or availability — to specify the development tools. When we are given this freedom, it is more socially responsible to select from those that are community-developed and standards-driven, as these are developed for the benefit of people rather than a corporate entity.
4. If you see something, say something!
We produce work, therefore we create an impact; ergo, it is essential to monitor — and perhaps alter — our behaviours for the greater benefit of our society. However, as professional thinkers and influencers, we have a unique opportunity to help others do the same. Our day job is full of interactions with clients or peers, whose requests and solutions may not always be as socio-friendly as they could be. If you’re presented with a situation wherein you can devise a more sustainable, more socially responsible solution, don’t be shy! A polite
have you considered this approach?
will rarely be met with much worse than a polite
that’s not for me,
and might even result in a resounding
You genius! What other helpful insights can I pay you to offer?
This is by no means a complete or definitive guide, but rather a handful of suggestions to get you started. If you have any other suggestions, I’d love to see them in the comments!
4 easy steps towards socially responsible design
There’s been a lot of talk recently — and by recently, I mean in the last few years — about social responsibility, and how it relates to a slew of different industries. With some industries (big auto, big oil, big pharma, mining, defence; need I go on?) the respective implications and implementations are obvious. And while these industries have such obvious pitfalls (with such drastic ramifications), it’s all too easy for Designer Joe and Designer Jane to assume that their industry is blameless. Most of our output is digital, and we (usually) don’t accept jobs from socially reprehensible clients — heck, our work spaces are so minimalist that even when we do pollute it, it’s still clean. We’ve covered all our bases, right?
Wrong! Social responsibility extends beyond carbon emissions and child labour. It means taking ownership of our impact on every aspect of our society — Political/Legal, Cultural, Demographic, Economic, Natural, Technological and any others you might think up.
Here are a few simple ways to ensure that our impact on the world is more good than evil.
1. Recognising that you do have an impact (and identifying it).
There’s no sidestepping the issue here — your actions make a splash. The first step to being more socially responsible is simply accepting this fact, and identifying the key areas for improvement. You can do this by…
2. Thinking outside your own box.
Projects in our industry are almost never the sole work and responsibility of one person; the nature of the design beast is highly social and group-oriented. And while things might seem peachy from the confines of your cubicle, you should also consider how your work will affect others involved. Yes, the die-cut business card you created in Adobe InDesign is only a digital file, but that fancy shape might create a lot of waste for your printers — how can your work help them be more socially responsible?
3. Watching what you’re using (and how you use it).
When the project has physical results, it’s fairly easy to monitor and control the materials with which the end product is created. We can usually specify the card or paper stock, inks, and binding materials for a company brochure, for instance. Something that is perhaps less obvious — but with just as much impact — is the way we use these materials. Does the job necessitate such an excessive use of ink on white stock — and if so, might you benefit from tinted stock instead? Often the entire gamut of variables is open for modification, only the client or designer is unaware, or unwilling to make the effort.
Digital projects are a bit more deceptive, as their impact is not always evident. Consider the tools you use — are they open-source/community-developed (WordPress, MoveableType, jQuery library) or commercial (Adobe Flash, Microsoft ASP.Net)? Are they standards-driven (HTML, Javascript, PHP, Firefox) or proprietary and profit-driven (ActionScript, ColdFusion, Internet Explorer)? Edit: Proprietary products do provide employment and fund R&D, however there is no reason that this can’t be provided by open-source, standards-compliant projects. Look at Google for proof. As with design for a physical product, we aren’t always allowed — whether through industry habits, client preferences or availability — to specify the development tools. When we are given this freedom, it is more socially responsible to select from those that are community-developed and standards-driven, as these are developed for the benefit of people rather than a corporate entity.
4. If you see something, say something!
We produce work, therefore we create an impact; ergo, it is essential to monitor — and perhaps alter — our behaviours for the greater benefit of our society. However, as professional thinkers and influencers, we have a unique opportunity to help others do the same. Our day job is full of interactions with clients or peers, whose requests and solutions may not always be as socio-friendly as they could be. If you’re presented with a situation wherein you can devise a more sustainable, more socially responsible solution, don’t be shy! A polite
will rarely be met with much worse than a polite
and might even result in a resounding
This is by no means a complete or definitive guide, but rather a handful of suggestions to get you started. If you have any other suggestions, I’d love to see them in the comments!