Good: An Introduction to Ethics in Graphic Design: (Required Reading Range)

Consider this simple conundrum: is it possible to be a bad good designer or a good bad designer for that matter? If the answer is yes then which is preferable and what does this reveal about the relationship between ethics and design practice? Good: An Introduction to Ethics in Graphic Design seeks to answer these questions. Graphic design is in ethical flux. Good comes at a time of growing disenchantment with style-led design solutions and the pursuit of self-expression alone and yet vacuous design judgements are still made without any real analysis of the criteria used. The terms good and bad are repeatedly applied without qualification whilst the relationship between personal and professional ethics is far too contentious to do any more than give cursory consideration. Despite recent manifestos and themed publications on design for good graphic designers have yet to examine what such terms really mean: in a time of relativism it has been far too divisive to do so. Good takes philosophy as its starting point but is not a philosophy book. It seeks to marry abstract ideas with practical application, removing some of the mystique that surrounds philosophy and highlighting its relevance for us all. Designers are people. This book seeks to engage designers in a debate about their profession and in an analysis of their value and worth. The decisions we make define us, in our ethical choices we reveal who we are.

Table of Contents:
Using this book Declaring an interest Some useful definitions The parameters of this book Introduction Section 1: Making good Issues raised Section 2: Approaching good Philosophy: Anthony Grayling The law: Jacqueline Roach Theology: Richard Holloway Politics: Delyth Morgan Issues raised Glossary of ethical thought: Naomi Goulder Frederik Willemarck Human Rights Act, 1998 The Convention Rights Section 3: Debating good Should I be nice to everyone? Who should I work for? Is it okay to be happy? Who has the right to judge? What is it worth? Issues raised Section 4: Being good Furniture and product design/ exhibition design/installations Michael Marriott Are you a good designer? Paula Scher, Oded Ezer, Divya Chadha Architecture Billie Tsien Are you a good designer? Will Holder Editorial design Simon Esterson Are you a good designer? Thomas Matthews, James Victore Photojournalism Chris de Bode Are you a good designer? Deborah Szebeko Graphic design/public art Sheila Levrant de Bretteville Are you a good designer? Ali Rashidi, Luba Lukova, Susanne Dechant Issues raised Examples Section 5: Doing good Sustainability Issue Mapping Case studies Ken Garland Violetta Boxill Pat Kahn Dan Eatock Issues raised Reference

About the Author :
Lucienne Roberts is a graphic designer who allies a commitment to accessible, engaging graphic design with a socially aware agenda. Her studio, LucienneRoberts+, specialises in design for the voluntary, charity and arts sectors. She was a signatory of the First Things First 2000 manifesto, which called for greater design responsibility, and writes, lectures and publishes on her subject. She is external examiner of BA Typography and Graphic Communication at Reading University, spoke at TYPO London 2012 and has been invited to speak at the POINT conference in 2013.

Review :
The book and the social issue mapping system it proposes are definitely something design teachers should consider introducing to their students as a way to start a conversation on the larger ethical concerns of the field. Beautifully designed book, with such clarity and structure that it is assessable and challenging. I thought it was a fascinating and broad collection of people, ideas, comment, research and once I read it I couldn't believe that it has taken this long for such a book to come about. Its timing/content is crucial with Graphic Design Education. And its great to see it in the context of social, political and cultural discussion. Great design and great size. I found the book really interesting and enjoyed the theory aspects supported by the case studies, which I could use as good teaching examples. The content was particularly useful for certain students who were interested in the subject matter for their final dissertation. I like the mix of theory and practice, the cross referencing system and the design of the book... The interviews with designers will hopefully provoke self questioning and debate. I love this book and think it will be very important book for students. Accessible and well-designed, with text broken up into manageable chunks. An excellent text for lecturers and undergraduates. Whether you wrap on a toga or take our a pipe, you'll discover that Good, like most items philosophical, promotes the journey - not the destination - as its aim. Let the debate begin.