My CreativeMornings SF talk

During a recent talk at CreativeMornings SF, I asked the question,

"What are we doing? Like for real. WTF are we really doing?"

This is a question I ask myself often as a designer.

• Are we feeding the machine of capitalism to maximize profit for shareholders?
• Are we making design decisions that ignores planetary boundaries?
• Are we shaping behaviors that isolate, disconnect, and divide people?

Or…

• Are we questioning our work in society?
• Are we understanding our power and responsibility in the world of business?
• Are we speaking up when we see bad design practices being championed for the sake of profit?
• Are we leveling up our knowledge on ways to heal and re-nourish our damaged world through the work we do and the company we work for?
• Are we finding others to build support and knowledge to make better decision?

I’ve had a number of real talk conversations with fellow design friends. I ask them this same question. Their responses are wide and varied. Many of them see their role as something bigger than pushing pixels. They see their level of influence beyond their laptops. They understand that their impact is felt around the world.

It seems like more and more people are seeing the tarnish wearing off of the design profession.

What does the design industry look like when the majority of designers stand up, speak up, and demand more than what we are currently doing?

My CMSF talk speaks to this. Give it a watch 👇