How to be a good human: The ethics of writing about design

Jana Perković

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Abstract

Design is the intelligence behind how things are made. Environmental concerns, social justice and global politics all refract through the objects that we use and consume – but we do not often reflect on ethical considerations of design. In this article, I will share the vision behind Assemble Papers, a publication exploring small footprint living across art, architecture, design, urbanism, environment and financial affairs. The magazine was created with the agenda of building a broad community around the notion of living small, living urban and living ethically: ethical concerns permeate not only our editorial agenda, but also our code of internal conduct. Eight years since inception, we have articulated both our values and our ways of doing things, as well as ongoing processes for questioning our ways of doing things. From who we work with, to what products we do not endorse, and from matters of representation to matters of financial backing – here is a list of provocations for any design writer or editor, to do better, and be better.

Keywords

Design Writing; Design Criticism; Editorial Ethics; Design and Ethics

To cite this article

Perković, Jana. “How to be a Good Human: The Ethics of Writing About Design.” Fusion Journal, no. 18, 2020, pp. 9-17. https://fusion-journal.com/how-to-be-a-good-human-the-ethics-of-writing-about-design/

First published online: July 2020