Design Ethics

It’s often forgotten that humanity is at the core of all design work. With this trait, also comes the concept of ethics. There are situations during the design process where one has to distinguish between right or wrong. Odds are, you’ve probably found yourself in a few of these morally ambiguous situations.

Graphic design is a weird field where the phrase “the customer is always right” doesn’t always apply. Design clients have the habit of insisting on design ideas that objectively don’t work for the overall brand. It’s up to designers to educate their clients about what works best for them. The phrase “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” comes into consideration here. Ultimately it’s up to the client to make the final decisions, but their collaboration with a designer can make for amazing design solutions.

Unfortunately, designers are constantly approached by people who want exactly what someone else has. In the age of copy-and-paste, it’s gotten even easier for people to steal work. From copying layouts to tracing logos, there’s a point where morals and the law might decide to get involved. However, there’s strength in making something unique! Being able to uniquely differentiate yourself from competitors is how those award-winning designs get made.

Designers are ultimately the ones who help persuade customers on what to buy. Of course, we can help shape a brand, but stretching the truth about a product’s quality has a sort of social irresponsibility surrounding it. Encouraging potentially harmful behavior to the general public in the pursuit of a profit doesn’t sit right with everyone. That’s why it’s imperative to take time to properly and professionally develop the brand’s personality.

All these ethical dilemmas come down to the personal choice in the end. If you want an agency with heart, feel free to choose Creative Juice! The Juicers are a team of millennials who are able to create unique and juicy design solutions that are perfect for your business.