Do We Have An Ethical Obligation to Design for Wellbeing?
In a world where technology, products, and services are deeply embedded in nearly every aspect of our lives, design holds an immense power to shape how we experience the world—and ultimately, how we live. From the apps we use on our smartphones to the physical environments we work in, design influences not just functionality, but also our emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing.
But in this age of rapid innovation and convenience, one fundamental question arises: Should designers have an ethical obligation to prioritize wellbeing in their work? The answer is obvious: “YES!” Design is not just about creating aesthetically pleasing, user-friendly, or commercially successful products. It’s about crafting experiences that promote the wellbeing of the individuals who interact with them—whether it’s the users of a digital product, patients in a hospital, or employees in a workplace. Just as we have a social responsibility to ensure our work benefits society, we also have an ethical obligation to design with people's health, happiness, and safety in mind.
The Power of Design in Shaping Wellbeing
At its core, design is about solving problems. But the problems we design for have evolved. Traditionally, design focused on creating products that were functional or beautiful. Now, design must go beyond form and function to address human experience, emotional needs, and mental and physical health.
Design is everywhere. From architecture that influences our work environments to websites that determine how we interact with information, design directly affects our wellbeing:
Urban design: The design of public spaces, transportation systems, and green areas can impact mental health, physical activity, and social interaction. Studies have shown that well-designed cities with accessible green spaces can lower stress levels and encourage exercise.
Healthcare design: Hospitals and clinics are increasingly being designed with a focus on patient wellbeing. This includes quiet rooms, natural lighting, and non-clinical aesthetics that reduce anxiety and enhance recovery.
Digital design: Apps, websites, and digital products can be designed to promote positive habits, improve mental health, and create engaging, supportive communities. On the flip side, poorly designed apps can lead to addictive behaviors, anxiety, or information overload.
Workplace design: A well-designed office or remote work environment can boost productivity, encourage collaboration, and support employee mental health. Poorly designed spaces can lead to burnout, stress, and reduced efficiency.
The Ethical Responsibility of Designers
The responsibility of designers goes beyond simply meeting user needs. As creators, designers hold the power to influence behavior—and this influence comes with an ethical responsibility.
Promoting Physical and Mental Health
Design impacts both physical and mental wellbeing. Whether it’s the ergonomics of a chair that prevents back pain or a website that helps users manage their mental health, the choices designers make directly affect users’ quality of life. An ethical designer takes into account the health implications of their work—whether that’s designing spaces that are accessible for individuals with disabilities or creating digital products that reduce cognitive overload.
For example, designers of medical devices have a direct ethical obligation to ensure that their designs promote patient safety and reduce the risk of errors. If a device is too complicated or unintuitive, it could result in harm. Similarly, a designer creating an app intended to support mental health should prioritize clarity and simplicity, ensuring the app doesn’t become a source of stress.
Designing with Inclusivity in Mind
One of the most powerful ways to promote wellbeing through design is by creating inclusive, equitable experiences. Design should meet the needs of all people, not just the privileged few. This means designing for diversity in all its forms—gender, race, age, ability, and socio-economic background. An ethical obligation to design for wellbeing involves ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities, creating culturally sensitive products, and addressing the unique needs of marginalized communities. For example, a website or app must be accessible to individuals with visual impairments, and public spaces must be navigable by people with mobility challenges. By prioritizing inclusivity, designers not only ensure that their products are more universally beneficial, but they also foster a sense of belonging, which is a fundamental aspect of mental and emotional wellbeing.
Designing for Sustainable Wellbeing
Designing for wellbeing isn't just about addressing immediate needs. It's about considering the long-term impact of design choices on people’s health, happiness, and the environment. Sustainable design can help mitigate environmental harm, which in turn has a profound effect on public health. For example, environmentally conscious designs—such as energy-efficient buildings, sustainable products, and waste-reducing packaging—don’t just support the planet; they also promote the wellbeing of the people living on it. Urban designs that encourage walking and cycling not only reduce pollution but also improve physical fitness and mental health. Furthermore, sustainable design can promote economic wellbeing by creating jobs in green technologies, encouraging responsible consumption, and supporting local economies.
Reducing Harmful Design Practices
Not all design decisions are beneficial. Some designs, especially in the digital world, can have negative consequences for user wellbeing. Social media platforms, for example, are often criticized for fostering addictive behaviors, increasing anxiety, and encouraging unrealistic comparisons. Some video games and apps use behavioral psychology techniques to keep users engaged for longer periods, potentially leading to mental health issues like addiction or sleep disruption. An ethical designer has a responsibility to question the impact their design might have on users’ mental and physical health. They must avoid exploiting vulnerabilities (such as encouraging compulsive use) and ensure that their work fosters positive, healthy experiences. Ethical designers should always ask themselves: "How might this design impact the user's wellbeing?"
Designing for Wellbeing: A Holistic Approach
To design for wellbeing, designers must take a holistic approach—one that considers not just usability and aesthetics, but also the emotional, physical, and social contexts in which their designs will be used. This requires:
Empathy and User-Centered Design: Designers must understand the real-world challenges that people face. Using methods like user interviews, empathy mapping, and human-centered design thinking, designers can gain a deep understanding of their audience's needs and design with those needs in mind.
Collaboration: Design doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Collaboration with health professionals, psychologists, sociologists, and other experts can provide valuable insights into the wellbeing impacts of design decisions.
Proactive Problem Solving: Rather than waiting for issues like accessibility problems or stress-inducing features to emerge, designers should anticipate potential harms and design proactively to avoid them.
The Positive Impact on Society
When designers make wellbeing a priority, the benefits extend beyond individual users to society as a whole. Ethical design that prioritizes wellbeing leads to:
Improved Quality of Life: Well-designed environments, products, and services make everyday life easier, safer, and more enjoyable. Whether it's reducing physical discomfort in the workplace or creating apps that help people manage stress, good design improves health outcomes.
Enhanced Social Connection: Products that promote inclusivity, empathy, and shared experiences foster stronger social bonds and communities. Whether through physical spaces that encourage socialization or apps that connect people with similar health challenges, design can be a bridge to building a more connected world.
Sustainability for Future Generations: Ethical design that focuses on long-term wellbeing not only benefits current generations but ensures that future generations have access to healthier, more sustainable environments and resources.
The Designer’s Oath to Do No Harm
While many of us are familiar with the Hippocratic Oath taken by first year medical students as they embark on their professional medical careers, less attention has been given to The Designer’s Oath. But the principles are the same. First, Do No Harm. The Designer’s Oath reminds designers of their ethical responsibilities and the impact their work can have on users, society, and the environment. It emphasizes principles of integrity, respect for users, and a commitment to creating designs that are both functional and ethical. While the exact wording of the oath can vary, it generally includes elements like:
User-Centered Focus: Prioritizing the needs, well-being, and privacy of users in all design decisions.
Ethical Responsibility: Recognizing the potential consequences of design choices on society, and working to avoid harm.
Transparency: Being clear and honest about design intentions, especially when it comes to data collection, use of technology, or the impact of a product.
Sustainability: Considering the environmental and social impact of design, and striving to create solutions that are sustainable in the long term.
Inclusivity: Designing for accessibility and ensuring that products and experiences are usable by a diverse range of people.
The Designer’s Oath is often used in design education and as a guiding principle for professional designers to ensure they approach their work with a sense of responsibility and integrity.
Doing Better…Because We Know Better
As designers, we have an immense responsibility. The choices we make, the products we create, and the environments we shape can significantly affect the wellbeing of individuals and communities. Whether it's through designing more inclusive products, addressing mental health in the digital space, or creating sustainable solutions, design is a powerful tool for promoting physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.
By taking an ethical approach to design—one that values people, inclusivity, sustainability, and long-term positive impacts—we not only improve individual lives but contribute to the greater good of society. In the end, design for wellbeing is not just a trend; it’s an ethical obligation that every designer should embrace to make the world a better, healthier place.