Ruined by Design

1. Designers Must Embrace Ethical Responsibility

You are responsible for what you put into the world. And you are responsible for the effects those things have upon the world.

Ethical foundation. Designers, like doctors with the Hippocratic Oath, must adopt a code of ethics to guide their work. This code should prioritize the well-being of users and society over profit or personal gain. The current lack of ethical guidelines in the design field has contributed to the creation of harmful technologies and practices.

Consequences of inaction. The internet is rife with examples of unethical design decisions, from Facebook's ad targeting based on race to Twitter's failure to address abuse. These decisions have real-world consequences, contributing to harassment, discrimination, and even violence. Designers must recognize the power they wield and the potential for harm their work can cause.

A call to action. Designers must move beyond simply following orders and instead act as ethical gatekeepers, questioning the purpose and impact of their work. This requires courage, critical thinking, and a willingness to stand up to unethical demands. The future of technology, and indeed society, depends on designers embracing their ethical responsibility.

2. The Tech Industry's Harmful Design Patterns

The world isn’t broken. It’s working exactly as it was designed to work. And we’re the ones who designed it. Which means we fucked up.

Examples of harm. The tech industry is plagued by design decisions that prioritize engagement and profit over user safety and well-being. Examples include:

• Live-streaming of violence on social media platforms
• Sharing of users' HIV status by dating apps
• Emotional manipulation through newsfeed experiments
• Mapping of military bases through fitness tracking data

Root cause. These harmful outcomes are not accidental; they are the result of deliberate design choices made by individuals and companies that prioritize growth and profit above all else. The "move fast and break things" mentality has led to a disregard for the potential consequences of technology.

Need for accountability. Designers must be held accountable for the harm caused by their work. This requires a shift in mindset, from viewing design as a purely technical exercise to recognizing its ethical and social implications. The industry needs to move beyond superficial fixes and address the underlying systemic issues that enable harmful design patterns.

3. Designers as Gatekeepers: Saying "No" and Asking "Why"

We are gatekeepers. Nothing should be making it through the gate without our labor and our counsel. We are responsible for the effects of our work once it makes it out into the world.

Power and responsibility. Designers are not simply hired hands; they are gatekeepers who control what gets released into the world. This power comes with a responsibility to ensure that technology is used for good and not for harm. Designers must be more than just skilled technicians; they must be ethical advisors who guide their clients and employers towards responsible choices.

The importance of "no" and "why." The words "no" and "why" are essential tools for ethical design. Designers must be able to say "no" to unethical requests and to ask "why" to understand the potential consequences of their work. These questions should be asked at every stage of the design process, from initial concept to final implementation.

Defense against monsters. By embracing their role as gatekeepers, designers can become the last line of defense against harmful technologies and practices. This requires courage, conviction, and a willingness to stand up to unethical demands, even if it means risking their jobs. The future of technology depends on designers embracing their power and using it to protect society.

4. The Corrosive Influence of Ayn Rand and Silicon Valley's "I Got Mine" Mentality

Ayn Rand filling out Social Security paperwork.

Objectivism's dark side. The philosophy of Ayn Rand, with its emphasis on individual achievement and disregard for the common good, has had a corrosive influence on Silicon Valley culture. This "I got mine, fuck you" mentality has led to a prioritization of profit over ethics and a disregard for the well-being of others.

Uber's example. Uber's rise exemplifies the dangers of this mindset. The company's relentless pursuit of growth led to unethical practices such as surge pricing during disasters, exploitation of drivers, and the creation of tools like Greyball to deceive regulators. These actions demonstrate a disregard for the well-being of drivers, riders, and the public.

Need for a new ethical framework. Designers must reject the "I got mine" mentality and embrace a more ethical framework that prioritizes the common good. This requires a shift in values, from individual achievement to collective responsibility, and a recognition that the success of one should not come at the expense of others. The industry needs to move beyond Randian objectivism and embrace a more humanistic approach to technology.

5. Design Education Needs a Moral and Ethical Overhaul

We need to fear the consequences of our work more than we love the cleverness of our ideas.

Current shortcomings. Design education often fails to adequately prepare students for the ethical challenges they will face in the real world. Many programs prioritize aesthetics and technical skills over critical thinking and ethical reasoning. This leaves graduates ill-equipped to navigate the complex moral dilemmas that arise in the tech industry.

Need for ethical training. Design schools must incorporate ethics into their curriculum, teaching students to consider the social and environmental impact of their work. This includes exploring topics such as:

• Privacy
• Accessibility
• Bias
• Sustainability

Beyond "soft skills." Professional practices, often relegated to "soft skills" training, must be integrated into the core curriculum. Students need to learn how to communicate effectively, negotiate ethically, and advocate for responsible design. Design education needs to move beyond aesthetics and embrace a more holistic approach that prepares students to be ethical and effective practitioners.

6. Diversity and Inclusion are Not Optional, They are Essential

All the white boys in the room, even with the best of intentions, will only ever know what it’s like to make decisions as a white boy.

Homogeneity's limitations. The lack of diversity in the tech industry has led to the creation of products and services that fail to meet the needs of a wide range of users. When teams are composed of individuals with similar backgrounds and experiences, they are more likely to overlook potential biases and unintended consequences. This can result in products that are discriminatory, inaccessible, or even harmful to certain groups.

Benefits of diversity. Diverse teams are better equipped to identify potential problems and develop innovative solutions. By including individuals with different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences, teams can create products that are more inclusive, equitable, and effective. Diversity is not just a matter of fairness; it is essential for good design.

Taking action. Companies must actively work to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces. This includes:

• Recruiting from a wider range of sources
• Providing mentorship and support for underrepresented groups
• Creating a culture of respect and inclusion

7. The Power of Collective Action and Community

Once you raise your voice, you will be amazed how loud it is.

Individual limitations. It can be difficult, if not impossible, to effect change as an individual. Standing up to unethical demands can be risky, especially in a culture that prioritizes profit over ethics. However, by banding together, designers can amplify their voices and create a powerful force for change.

Strength in numbers. Collective action provides strength in numbers, making it more difficult for companies to ignore ethical concerns. When employees organize and demand change, they are more likely to be heard and to achieve their goals. The Google walkout is a powerful example of the impact collective action can have.

Building a supportive community. Designers need to create communities where they can share their experiences, offer support, and hold each other accountable. These communities can provide a safe space for designers to discuss ethical dilemmas, develop strategies for action, and build the courage to stand up for what is right. By working together, designers can create a more ethical and responsible tech industry.

8. Professional Organizations: A Foundation for Ethical Design

Crime is more organized than design.

Need for structure. The design field lacks a strong professional organization to set standards, resolve disputes, and provide legal representation. This absence leaves designers vulnerable to exploitation and makes it difficult to hold unethical actors accountable. A professional organization can provide the structure and support needed to create a more ethical and responsible design industry.

Key functions. A well-run professional organization can:

• Establish a code of ethics
• Provide legal representation for members facing ethical challenges
• Offer group benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans
• Advocate for responsible design practices

Collective empowerment. By joining together in a professional organization, designers can amplify their voices and create a powerful force for change. This collective empowerment can help to create a more ethical and responsible design industry. The time for individual action is over; it is time for designers to organize and take control of their profession.

9. Licensing and Regulation: Holding Designers Accountable

We can go to jail for this shit now!

Accountability is key. The lack of accountability in the design field has allowed unethical practices to flourish. Licensing and regulation can provide a mechanism for holding designers accountable for their actions and ensuring that they adhere to ethical standards. This can help to protect users and society from the harm caused by irresponsible design.

Precedent in other professions. Many professions, such as medicine and law, require licensing to ensure competence and ethical conduct. These requirements protect the public from unqualified or unethical practitioners. The design field should follow suit, establishing a system for verifying competence and enforcing ethical standards.

Preparing for the inevitable. Whether designers like it or not, licensing and regulation are likely coming to the field. It is better for designers to take the lead in shaping these regulations than to have them imposed from the outside. By proactively engaging in the discussion, designers can ensure that licensing and regulation are implemented in a way that is both effective and fair.

10. Persuasion, Not Pixels: Influencing Ethical Decisions

We need to fear the consequences of our work more than we love the cleverness of our ideas.

Beyond aesthetics. Designers often focus on the visual aspects of their work, neglecting the ethical and social implications. To be truly effective, designers must move beyond pixel-pushing and learn to persuade others to make ethical choices. This requires strong communication skills, critical thinking, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

The power of argument. Designers must be able to articulate the ethical implications of their work and to make a compelling case for responsible design. This includes:

• Understanding the potential consequences of their decisions
• Building a strong ethical framework
• Communicating effectively with stakeholders

Humility is expensive. Designers must be confident in their expertise and willing to advocate for their values. This requires a shift in mindset, from seeking approval to taking responsibility for the ethical impact of their work. The future of technology depends on designers embracing their power and using it to influence ethical decisions.

11. Knowing When to Throw Your Body on the Gears

There’s a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart, that you can’t take part!

Ethical red lines. Every designer must identify their ethical red lines – the issues they are unwilling to compromise on. This requires careful self-reflection and a clear understanding of one's values. When those lines are crossed, it is time to take action.

Walking away. Sometimes, the only ethical option is to walk away from a project or a company. This can be a difficult decision, but it is essential to protect one's integrity and to avoid complicity in unethical practices. Walking away sends a powerful message and can inspire others to do the same.

Sabotage as a last resort. In extreme cases, when all other options have been exhausted, sabotage may be an ethical option. However, this should only be considered as a last resort, when the harm caused by the technology outweighs the potential consequences of sabotage. The decision to throw one's body on the gears is a difficult one, but it is sometimes necessary to stop an odious machine from operating.

Last updated: March 10, 2025