What Your Designs Say About You

Have you ever considered the silent language of objects? Designer Sebastian Deterding challenges us to examine how our values and visions of the ideal life are embedded in the designs that surround us. It's not just about aesthetics; it's about the moral persuasion woven into the fabric of our everyday items.

The Questions to Ask

Instead of providing definitive answers on what's moral or immoral, Deterding offers a series of thought-provoking questions to dissect the ethics of design:

• What are your intentions? Design isn't neutral. Every creation stems from a purpose, but good intentions don't guarantee positive outcomes. Consider eco-dashboards in cars, intended to promote fuel efficiency. While well-meaning, they can inadvertently encourage unsafe driving habits.
• What are the effects? Beyond the immediate purpose, what are the broader consequences of your design? Gamified reward systems for children, like earning badges for completing chores, might seem harmless. However, research suggests that prioritizing external validation can negatively impact long-term psychological well-being. It's better to care about learning and self-improvement.
• What values do you use to judge? Our values shape our perception of design. A technology that encourages a particular behavior might be seen as positive by some and negative by others, depending on their belief system.
• What vision of the good life do your designs convey? Every design embodies a certain aspiration. By analyzing the designed environment, we can decipher the underlying messages about what constitutes a fulfilling existence.

Beyond Ethics: The Pursuit of Excellence

Ethics isn't just about avoiding harm; it's about striving for excellence. Drawing from Aristotle's concept of aretê, Deterding suggests that design should aim to help us live up to our full potential as human beings. Our creations should reflect a vision of the good life, sparking arguments and discussions about how we should live.

The Persuasive Power of Design

We cannot not persuade. Every design choice, whether intentional or not, carries a persuasive component. It subtly influences our behavior and shapes our understanding of what is considered good, bad, normal, or usual.

Consider these examples:

• School chairs: Even seemingly innocuous objects like school chairs communicate a specific vision. They promote a learning environment where one person teaches, others listen, and individual work is prioritized.
• Designer chairs: A stylish chair reflects values related to sustainability, labor practices, design appreciation, tradition, and even conspicuous consumption. It sends a message about social status and priorities.

Design as a Reflection of Life

The questions we ask about design should extend to our own lives. The vision of the good life that we strive to create with our designs should align with the vision of the good life we want to live ourselves. By integrating our values into both our creations and our daily existence, we can create a more meaningful and fulfilling world.

In conclusion, Deterding urges us to consider the profound impact of design on our values and aspirations. By asking critical questions and striving for excellence, we can harness the power of design to shape a better future for ourselves and society.