COP3-
Presentation
Question
Social
responsibility: Why do graphic designers choose to work for ethical and
charitable organisations?
Psychology- ethical theories?
morality vs legality?
Subject relativism-
Each person has the right to decide on
all matters of right and wrong. What's right for one may not be right for another.
Cultural relativism-
The view that ethical systems, which
vary from culture to culture, are all equally valid and no one system is really
“better” than any other. They are a product of society.
Divine command theory-
The view that morality is somehow
dependent upon God, and that moral obligation consists in obedience to God’s
commands. The specific content of these divine commands varies according to the
particular religion and the particular views of the individual.
Main
theorists-
Immanuel
Kant- Kantianism
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (1785), Critique of Practical Reason (1788),
and Metaphysics of Morals (1797)
His
theory is based upon what the individual feels is the right thing to do. This
means that the idea of ethical practice for Kant is not based upon feelings of
pity, guilt or a reward.
Utilitarianism- John Stuart Mill
John Stuart Mill in Utilitarianism (1863)
His theory is based upon the idea of happiness; individual
actions, which cause the most amount of happiness for all involved.
Social
Contract Theory- Thomas Hobbes and Jacques Rousseau
This theory suggests that as a society we should
follow a series of rules. It should be governing people through a mutual
benefit, which everyone should follow.
Manifesto-
How have designers reacted to consumerism? Why
were manifestos created? Are they relevant now?
First
Things First Manifesto 1964 Ken Garland
First
Things First Manifesto 2000
First
Things First Manifesto Revisited Rick Poyner 2005
Ethics
for the starving designer manifesto 2012 David Goh
Is a project to promote the dialogue of
responsibility and ethics within visual communicators, as well as to reference
these conversations to reach a consensus on an ethical code that can be
embraced by local Singaporean designers regardless of their professional
success.
Other
books/ sources
ethics: a graphic designers field guide Eileen
MacAvery Kane
The Blackwell Guide to Ethical Theory
Introducing Ethics: Dave Robinson & Chris
Garratt
Good: An introduction to ethics in graphic
design Lucienne Roberts
Conscientious Objectives: Designing for an
Ethical Message
Eye Magazine: Being good 2007 Lucienne Roberts
The Morals and Ethics of A Theory of Design
Thinking, Charles Burnette 2013
Blog: David Airey- How ethical are your
practices? 2007
Digital Arts: Design and ethics- Can you stick
to your beliefs? Laura Snoad
What else can I look at? Documentaries?
Journals?
Interviews
with studios/ professionals
Why do you think designers
are important for charities?
What impact do you think
graphic design has on charities? Does it make them more successful?
Why do you think it is important
designers are ethical?
Designed
by good people: London duo that set up in 2010 to
create work for projects who believe in the same values.
Zerofee: ethical design agency who donate design to good causes who struggle
financially- they do this alongside commercial work.
FlyingKite: running since 2004 by Jon Ireland who creates work for a broad
range of charities.
Piers
& Dominic: an independent branding and
graphic/web design based agency. Over time they have gained a large amount of
charity sector work for both small and large organisations as well as
completing commercial work too.
They all reacted in different ways to my
questions, some explained that they love working with these organisations
because it follows their own beliefs yet others spoke of them the same way you
would with commercial branding. These opinions are individual and as with
ethics it is never the same for everyone.
Practical
element
The practical element to my COP module
and dissertation is vital as a form of research into my chosen theme. I have
currently been in contact with a range of small charities to see if they would
be interested in allowing me to create artwork for them.
I have chosen to focus on small
charities that work with education people about the environment. This is
because I live in the countryside and it is something that is important to me.
The balance of our UK wildlife is extremely important for us all. Therefore I
have started to gather a list of charities I wish to contact particularly those
who focus on birds of prey and UK wildlife.
Researching
Primary research about the charity, talk
to people who run it.
Find out information from them about
what they teach people, what can they tell me?
Investigate what graphic design would be
useful for them by finding out about the events and different formats they
currently deliver information.
Secondary research: for further
understanding of the charity.
This could be through looking at books/websites
on science and eco systems. Focusing on the importance of birds of prey
especially owls.
