OUGD601: COP presentation

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.