Module 13 : Design Ethics
  Lecture 36 : Designers who shape the users, Needs and wants Ecology and Environmental Consideration, Multicultural and Multi-ethnicConsideration, Honest Ethical Practice, Means and ends, Methods and tools, Individual and collective, Form and function, Innovation and tradition, Conclusion
 
Carry bag is a common household product. Unfortunately even after number of strict rules we have failed to implement an eco-friendly bag design that may be used by everybody. In urban areas it is being strictly implemented and alternative design solution is introduced. Paper Bag (plate 4A) made out of recycled paper material is one of the solutions that are increasingly becoming popular. The common plastic bags (plate 4B) continue to use in smaller towns and rural areas. In most cases the quality of the plastic material is way below the recommended quality. It is pathetic to see when animals consume (plate 4C) such plastic material which would eventually cause harm to them. The heap of plastic bags (plate 4D) has become the real headache for the municipalities for disposing. Therefore, it is the design professionals who have to take ethical decision towards design solution. In the process material usage would play significant role.
  • Does modern design clarify its ethical role?
  • Each design solution has to address its ethical contribution.
  • How much serious in respect to ethical issues the design solutions are? Or they are mostly superficial?
  • ‘Green Design’ does not mean serious effort, in many cases they are included due to marketability and ‘gimmick’.
Multicultural and Multi-ethnic Consideration
  • The ethical considerations should not be influenced by own cultural biasness
  • Should we change the goal because of such considerations?
  • Design solutions may have local and global considerations. Are we going to search for solutions based on specific culture or global (minimalistic approach) issues?