The Ethical Scope of Industrial Designers:

Limits of Role and Responsibility

To what extent should a designer’s ethical responsibility extend?

by Jisoo Kim

Ethical responsibility in the field of science has been regarded as crucial since ancient times, consistently influencing technological advancements, and applied across all stages of development and use. Modern industrial design is no longer simply an issue of aesthetics but is now fully recognized as a practice that must address social, environmental, and economic consequences in its entirety—from design to production, use, and consumption.^[1]

In the process of product creation, designers must consider which materials to use, which manufacturing methods to adopt, and how their products influence social circulation and political structures.  

This essay explores the extent to which an industrial designer’s ethical responsibility can expand and the limitations that define its boundaries. 

The Social Importance of Ethical Design  

Industrial design has already deeply permeated our society and daily lives, exerting a significant influence on social behavior, culture, and the environment. Moreover, design does not only impact the final product but also influences society throughout the entire process, from initial conception to its ultimate outcome. A designer’s ethical judgment naturally leads to either positive or negative consequences within society. Therefore, understanding the social importance of ethical design is essential, and to explore this, we will examine the impact of design as well as historical case studies.

The Influence of Design: Impact on Social Behavior, Culture, and the Environment 

Design is not just how a product looks, but how it impacts behavior or social practice. As an illustration, some public benches are designed to uncomfortable on purpose to prevent use by individuals experiencing homelessness. While the intent may very well be to solve a social issue, the design will permanently exclude one or more social dimension of the community and raises ethical and social discussions.  

In addition to architecture and public elements, physical products and tools used every day must include the possibility of being equitable and usable by all populations inclusive of people with disabilities including sensory considerations, aging populations, children, etc. Ignoring community access and usability considerations can also cause social exclusion or public outcry.  

Regarding the environment, design is also critical to sustainability. Materials that are not recyclable, and designs where energy efficiency is not at the top of the mind can easily contribute to pollution and environmental depletion. Designers must consider their role in constructing a more sustainable society.

Historical Cases 

Cases of Unethical Design Decisions

Hostile design refers to deliberately designed elements in public spaces that restrict certain behaviors or exclude specific groups.^[2] In the 2010s, various cities in the UK faced controversy over design measures aimed at deterring homelessness. One of the most notable examples is the „Camden Bench,“ installed in Camden, London, in 2012. This bench was designed with a sloped surface and dividers, making it uncomfortable for people to lie down, sit for extended periods, or use it for activities like skateboarding. The producer argued that the bench had been designed without concealed voids and was made of a material that was easy to maintain to avoid allowing the homeless to stay for extended periods. Critics responded that this did not resolve the problem of homelessness, it simply moved the problem to a different state while also introducing public spaces that were not as easily accessible to other vulnerable populations, like the elderly and disabled. Ultimately, this type of design led to what many described as a „worse space for everyone.“

(Figure 1. A Camden bench)  

Case of Design with Positive Social Impact

OXO Good Grips kitchen utensils, launched in the early 1990s in the United States, were designed with rubberized handles to ensure ease of use, even for individuals with arthritis. Notably, the OXO swivel peeler was introduced in the same year that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted in 1990. This product became an iconic example of universal design, catering to users of all ages and abilities.  

The philosophy of inclusive design behind OXO Good Grips shows that accessibility need not mean a limitation or a burden but rather provides new markets and generates value.

  (Figure 2. OXO Good Grips – Swivel peeler)

Sustainability and Design Ethics  

One of the most important factors designers must consider is the choice of materials for a product. The first step towards sustainability is the choice of sustainable materials. This is a part of the designer’s ethical responsibility. Reducing plastic and choosing renewable materials is an important step in protecting the environment, but these decisions must sometimes compromise the realities of economical issues. Designers are often forced to balance corporate profitability with their ethical responsibility toward the environment. 

Today, an increasing variety of eco-friendly materials—such as biodegradable plastics and bamboo fibers—are being developed, attracting the attention of both businesses and consumers. Additionally, alternative materials are emerging to meet the demands of consumers who prioritize ecological and animal welfare concerns. For instance, synthetic fur and artificial insulating materials are being developed as substitutes for animal-based products. Furthermore, growing emphasis is placed on design processes and manufacturing methods that do not involve animal testing or ecosystem destruction, highlighting the importance of ethical production practices.

Ethical Material Selection

Sustainability in industrial design mostly revolves around design and materials. When choosing materials designers assess a range of criteria:

Properties & Performance: Material choice begins with a thorough grasp of the physical and mechanical properties the design requires. Selecting materials regularly enhanced for their intended end-use offers significant impact on product lifespan and will greatly influence the long-term sustainability cycles. Strong, light, and durable composite materials – for example – enable completion of the performance criteria for each component part of the product. ^[3]

Environmental Impact: Environmental concerns have become increasingly more important in selecting materials. By introducing environmental concerns, rather than simply choosing for the product’s lifecycle, the ecologic footprint can be reduced across all environmental impacts for the full period of use for the product. This includes material factors like recyclability, as well as the eco-friendliness of the processed materials in the construction. ^[3][4]

Sustainability: Modern designers recognize the importance of using renewable resources and sustainable materials. There are various ways they can actively contribute to sustainability, including the use of eco-friendly materials and natural energy sources, or even designing products that generate their own energy. Additionally, adopting traditional or streamlined manufacturing techniques can help minimize carbon emissions throughout the production and usage cycle. ^[1]

Economic Feasibility: Designers often encounter conflicting objectives, such as balancing cost, performance, and environmental impact. To make the best material choices, they must define key goals and criteria, compare various options, and carefully evaluate their trade-offs. Tools like trade-off charts and Ashby plots assist in assessing multiple factors, enabling designers to identify the most effective compromises. ^[4]

Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethical Brand Cases  

Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Material Selection

The German fashion brand Adidas launched the „Parley for the Oceans“ project, using plastic waste collected from the ocean to produce sneakers. Through this initiative, Adidas not only addressed environmental pollution but also introduced sustainable products, contributing to a more circular economy.

Universal Design

The UK-based startup ‘Open Bionics’ has developed the „Hero Arm,“ a prosthetic limb created using 3D printing technology. Inspired by popular characters from franchises like Iron Man and Star Wars, the design helps children with limb differences embrace prosthetic use with confidence and pride. Beyond high-quality technology and craftsmanship, this inclusive design approach fosters positive user experiences and raises social awareness about accessibility and disability. 

Community Collaboration for Sustainability

In the UK, community-based repair shops and initiatives like „The Fixing Factory“ have gained popularity as a means of reducing electronic waste and extending the lifespan of electronic devices. These projects promote sustainability by engaging volunteers to repair various household appliances.  For example, at The Fixing Factory in Camden, London, residents can bring in broken electronic devices for repair, contributing to waste reduction through community collaboration. Such partnerships help lower the carbon footprint associated with transporting and replacing devices while fostering a more sustainable product lifecycle by extending the longevity of existing items. Such systems not only impact production and distribution but also extend product lifespan. Additionally, it serves as a strong example of how local initiatives can effectively raise environmental awareness and encourage community participation in sustainability efforts.

Scope of Designers‘ Responsibilities and Challenges  

As noted in the earlier ethical corporate design cases, designers can more easily establish ethical practices when companies are involved in initiatives for social responsibility. In contrast, when companies focus on profits in the short term, designers become increasingly compromised during the tension of maintaining ethical principles in the face of commercial interests. Because of the myriad of values and conflicts that are social or business-related, it becomes necessary to investigate the area of a designer’s responsibility and the complications they face.

Personal Ethics vs. Market Demands

A designer must consider their own creative aspirations, user needs, and the practical realities of the market throughout the design process. In doing so, they often find themselves caught between their ethical beliefs and the demands of the market. Certainly, if social good in design enhances a company’s brand and motivates customer trust, its market value can be truly secured, allowing businesses to practice good design without the burden of compromise. However, within corporate cultures that prioritize short-term profitability, individual designers often struggle to uphold ethical values.  

For instance, a designer advocating for environmentally friendly design may face corporate pressure to prioritize cost-cutting measures. The market frequently demands fast production and low costs, leading to commercial pressures that can place designers in ethical dilemmas. They may be asked to use lower-quality materials to reduce expenses or adopt production methods that negatively impact the environment.  

In such conflicts, designers must find a balance that allows them to maintain their ethical standards while meeting market demands. Strategies to achieve this balance include: 

Defining Clear Ethical Goals: When designers establish clear ethical objectives, they can communicate more effectively with companies and negotiate ethical solutions. Well-defined values also help integrating ethical considerations into design and persuade stakeholders.

Presenting Multiple Design Alternatives: An essential responsibility of designers is to create and deliver a range of design alternatives that satisfy ethical requirements and align with practical market thresholds. By offering diverse solutions rather than a single approach, designers provide clients with a broader range of options, enabling more ethical and practical compromises.  

Utilizing Expert Networks: Collaborating with experts from various fields helps designers gather diverse perspectives on ethical dilemmas and identify the best solutions. This enhances design decision-making while restoring the integrity of ethical standards. Additionally, incorporating expert opinions strengthens the credibility of ethical design choices, making it easier to negotiate ethical solutions with companies.

The Need for Changes in Design Education  

It is essential for individual designers to recognize the social and environmental impact of their work and learn how to make ethical decisions. In other words, considering their ethical responsibility as designers is crucial. Continuous learning and research that integrate ethical considerations into design development not only enhance individual design skills but also strengthen communication with companies and promote a more positive societal impact. As modern design trends, social awareness, and emerging technologies evolve rapidly, establishing ethical standards and making ethical choices have become more crucial than ever. This shift highlights the growing need to incorporate diverse aspects of design thinking, sustainability, interdisciplinary approaches, and innovative educational models.

Design education must prepare students to tackle complex and high-impact challenges, as traditional, isolated perspectives and implicit knowledge transfer methods are no longer sufficient for cultivating the creative problem-solving skills required in today’s world. There is a growing recognition of the importance of design-centered approaches that align commercial success and educational innovation with ethical responsibilities. 

Key areas of focus for improving design education include:  

Sustainability and Design Education: The shift in awareness toward sustainability is a key driving force behind changes in design education. However, society and industry still tend to favor unsustainable practices, and design education has often adapted by accommodating and conforming to these trends. Nevertheless, design education must evolve to meaningfully address these issues. This requires integrating collaborations of various scales, engaging students in projects that demand long-term vision, and maintaining a balance between practical, reflective, and analytical skills. Design education plays a crucial role in facilitating the transition to a sustainable future and must continue to strengthen its capacity to address and resolve environmental and social challenges. ^[5]

Interdisciplinary and Innovative Approaches: The integration of interdisciplinary knowledge is essential in ethical design education. Breaking down barriers between design, technology, business, and sociology can enhance the quality of education and create interdisciplinary approaches that better prepare students for real-world challenges.^[6]Understanding other fields allows designers to facilitate cross-disciplinary communication and contribute ethical interpretations of industry needs while proposing solutions. To foster better educational transformation, frameworks like the ‘ADDIE model’ can be used to design curricula that respond effectively to societal trends and demands, ensuring that design education is structured to meet the evolving needs of both students and industries.^[7]

The Need for Legal and Ethical Guidelines  

Legal and ethical guidelines in the field of design are crucial in ensuring that products and services are developed responsibly, with consideration for both users‘ well-being and society as a whole. These guidelines prevent design outcomes from relying solely on individual designers‘ personal ethics, ensuring that socially significant factors are not overlooked. Additionally, they help navigate ethical dilemmas with clients and businesses, facilitating better compromises and more responsible decision-making.

Practical guidelines are necessary to integrate ethical, legal, and social considerations into new technologies, product design, development, and usage. For example, the ‘European Union’s Ecodesign Directive’ legally mandates that products account for energy efficiency and environmental impact. Such regulations not only enforce sustainability but also motivate designers to make ethical choices. ^[8]

However, rapidly evolving technologies often lack clear regulations governing their application and scope. In cases where guidelines are absent or underdeveloped, responsibility falls on designers and developers to make ethical decisions based on personal judgment. To keep pace with technological advancements, legal regulations and social guidelines must evolve accordingly.^[9]

Beyond legal frameworks, the role of design leaders and corporate ethical guidelines is also significant. Design leaders can establish visions, advocate for ethical values, and integrate ethics into design critiques and portfolio reviews, fostering ethical practices within the industry.^[10] Therefore, design teams and individual designers must take the initiative in redefining design ethics, creating an ethical framework that encompasses the entire design process. Additionally, they should foster an environment that encourages appropriate self-regulation and adherence to ethical standards.

Conclusion  

The role of industrial designers today has expanded beyond creating aesthetic elements to include social, environmental, and economic responsibilities. Design influences user behavior, reinforces or excludes certain social values, and directly impacts sustainability. In this context, industrial designers are not merely creators but decision-makers who must make ethical choices.  

As discussed, design can promote social inclusivity, as seen in universal design, or it can be used as a tool for exclusion, as in hostile design. Therefore, designers must find a balance between personal ethics and market demands while prioritizing sustainable materials and production methods.  

However, ethical responsibility should not only be left to the conscience of an individual designer. Corporate social responsibility (CSR), codes of practice, and reforms in design education should cooperate to create a mandate for ethical decision-making in design. The responsibility of industrial designers in making ethical choices should thus not be taken as a private decision but should be a structural issue with systemic support. Only when legal regulations, social consensus, and ethics-focused design education are in place can designers actively seek creative and ethical solutions for a sustainable society. Design gains more meaning by carrying a message with it, over and above the mere form. Simply put, design is not the visualization only but an instrument for the changes in the society itself. The making of design is not just about manufacturers there should be more to it; they must be the ones who make the decision of what will be in the future and through ethical choices must be contributing to building a sustainable world.

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References lists

[1] Günal Ertaş, D. (2023). A Multi-Dimensional Analysis of The Relationship Between Design and Material in Terms of Sustainability. Journal of Architectural Sciences and Applications, 8(2), 609-623. https://doi.org/10.30785/mbud.1309026

[2] Hostile Design (n.d.), Design against Humanity. https://hostiledesign.org/#:~:text=Hostile%20designs%20are%20designs%20against,community%20from%20a%20public%20space

[3] Giudice, F., Rosa, G., & Risitano, A., 2005. Materials selection in the Life-Cycle Design process: a method to integrate mechanical and environmental performances in optimal choice. Materials & Design, 26. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATDES.2004.04.006.

[4] Holloway, L., 1998. Materials selection for optimal environmental impact in mechanical design. Materials & Design, 19, pp. 133-143. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-3069(98)00031-4.

[5] Stevens, N., & Culén, A., 2024. Toward Sustainable Futures by Design Education. Sustainability.https://doi.org/10.3390/su16166777.

[6] Pontis, S., & Waarde, K., 2020. Looking for Alternatives: Challenging Assumptions in Design Education. She Ji: The Journal of Design, Economics, and Innovation, 6, pp. 228-253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sheji.2020.05.005.

[7] Tu, J., Zhang, X., & Zhang, X., 2021. Basic Courses of Design Major Based on the ADDIE Model: Shed Light on Response to Social Trends and Needs. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU13084414.

[8] Industrie- und Handelskammer (IHK) Köln (n.d.) ‘Ökodesign-Richtlinie – Anforderungen an die umweltgerechte Gestaltung von Produkten’, IHK Köln. https://www.ihk.de/koeln/hauptnavigation/umwelt-und-energie/oekodesign-richtlinie-5046750

[9] Fukuda‐Parr, S., & Gibbons, E., 2021. Emerging Consensus on ‘Ethical AI’: Human Rights Critique of Stakeholder Guidelines. Global Policy. https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-5899.12965.

[10] Lindberg, S., Rossitto, C., Knutsson, O., Karlström, P., & Barbutiu, S., 2024. Doing Good Business? Design Leaders‘ Perspectives on Ethics in Design. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 8, pp. 1 – 22. https://doi.org/10.1145/3633067.

Figure lists

[Figure 1] Camden bench (n.d), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camden_bench#:~:text=According%20to%20Factory%20Furniture%20founder,4

[Figure 2] OXO (2023) ‘How to use a potato swivel peeler’, OXO Blog, https://www.oxo.com/blog/cooking-and-baking/how-to-use-potato-swivel-peeler

[Figure 3]  Parley for the Oceans (n.d.) ‘Adidas x Parley initiative’, https://parley.tv/initiatives/adidasxparley

[Figure 4] Open Bionics (n.d.) ‘How do prosthetic arms work?’, https://openbionics.com/en/how-do-prosthetic-arms-work/

[Figure 5] The Guardian (2025) ‘Repair shops giving broken devices a new lease of life’, https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/06/repair-shops-broken-devices-new-lease-of-life