1. 1
Design ETHICS
Prepared by: Ms. Kristinne Marie Claudio
(Instructor 1/ Special Lecturer 1/ Freelance Graphic Designer)
Reference: Roberts, Lucienne (2007). Good: An Introduction to ethics in graphic design. Switzerland: AVA Publishing
http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/resources-and-events/Designers/Guides/Legal-issues/
WHAT is MULTIMEDIA ARTS?
- Multimedia art includes, by definition, more than one medium; therefore multimedia artists
use visual art in combination with sound art, moving images and other media
- From the Word “Multi” means Three and “Media” is a plural word from the word Medium
means Material.
MULTIMEDIA ARTS Career will be called a GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Debate for a Graphic Designer:
Who Has the Right to judge?
- Judging and being judged is an Uncomfortable part of being a GRAPHIC DESIGNER.
- NO Book about ETHICS and Graphic Design Can Avoid the subject of Judgment because terms
like good and bad and right and wrong have the notion of value embedded within them.
- The Lack of an Adequate Language with which to make Judgments is the Heart of the problem.
There is NO Consensus for example about What GOOD DESIGN means
A Designer Basic ETHICS
1. A Graphic Designer must always follow the instructions of his/her client
2. A Graphic Designer should always meet the deadlines
3. A Graphic Designer should always be creative
4. A Graphic Designer should have a long patience
2. 2
THE FINANCIAL AGENDA
As A Graphic Designer ask your self
1. INNOVATION: Is your Design Really Something New
2. FEASIBILITY: Is your Design Realistic in terms of Production?
3. DISTRIBUTION: How will sizes and weights of the finished piece of design affect distribution
costs?
4. COMPETITIVENESS: Will your design surpass the market leader rather than imitate it?
5. MARKETABILITY: Do you really know your target audience?
6. COPYRIGHT: Do you know that you have not copied or taken unfair advantage of other people’s
idea?
7. PROFIT: D you know how much money you are aiming to make for yourself and your client?
8. QUALITY: Have you clarified the quality expectations of your client?
9. APPEAL: Will your design be wanted? Will it kept and adored for years to come?
10. COST EFFECTIVENESS: Have your design specifications been made to maximize the efficiency of
production?
11. OWNERSHIP: Do you know who will own your design? Have you sought legal advice and secured
a written contract?
12. QUANTITY: Have you understood the creation process, whether mass produced or individually
crafted?
THE SOCIAL AGENDA
1. SECURITY: Will the content help people stay safe?
2. POVERTY: Does the content encourage unnecessary spending?
3. CHILDREN: Will your Design Encourage children to learn and develop positively?
4. EMPOWERMENT: Will the content help empower people?
5. HEALTH: Will the content aid or encourage physical well being?
6. THIRD AGE: Have you chosen type sizes, colours or layouts that are legible to older people?
7. EDUCATION: Will the content educate in a positive way?
8. COMMUNICATION: Will your design communicate something positive to its readers?
9. DISABILITY: Have you chosen typefaces, Sizes or colours that are legible to people with visual or
other impairments?
THE PERSONAL AGENDA
1. AFFORDABILITY: Will your design be priced fairly for what it is and the job it does?
3. 3
2. USABILITY: Will your design be legible to read and simple to understand?
3. UTILITY: Does your design offer a useful function? Is it more than something that just looks
good?
4. AWARENESS: Will your design increase the reader’s understanding about something they did
not know?
5. FUN: Will your design make the end-user laugh?
6. CONVENIENCE: Will your design be easy to get hold of for everyone who might need it?
7. STATUS: Will your design be flaunted? Will it be something owned with pride?
8. PLEASURE: Will your design be sensuous to touch and see?
9. INSPIRATION: Will your design encourage end users to do or think something new?
