Why us? You must be wondering, why not other professions?
Why is it that designers are expected to be a certain way, as if we are not already burdened with so much responsibility, that we carry the added charge of social responsibility also upon us.
Let's take a step back and try to see things in a better perspective, I will help you with that. As designers it is essential to understand that we have a profound impact on humanity, we can provoke emotions and also have the power to drive change. We act as a mediator between ideas and the physical world. Just like Spiderman, we need to understand that with great power comes great responsibility, and we need to use our powers wisely. Now let's understand how we can do that.
How can you be socially responsible?
Design with Purpose
Purpose is what makes a design great, it drives the designer to get better and work towards the goal. It brings clarity and conscious decision making into the picture. Let's discuss some aspects of purpose-
Inclusivity- It is about making informed design decisions, by better understanding user diversity, which means inclusion of as many people as possible. Inclusivity is a lot more important than it might seem, let's take the example of the clothing brands. aLL is a dedicated plus-size fashion retail chain that offers a wide range of clothing for men and women, they offer sizes ranging from XL to 9 XL, the brand promotes inclusivity and also provides choices and variety in design which is very rare in the clothing industry.
Relatability- Here the relatability we are talking about is aligning with the values and concerns of the audience. When a designer tackles problems that resonate with people, the resulting solutions are more likely to be embraced and supported. Nike's marketing campaigns often celebrate diversity and relatability. They feature athletes from various backgrounds, abilities, and genders. This approach makes Nike's products and messages relatable to a broad and diverse audience. This messaging connects with consumers, giving them a sense of empowerment and self-expression.
Accessibility- Accessibility is concerned with whether all users are able to access an equivalent user experience, it takes in consideration how people are able to understand the information presented. Not only people with disabilities but accessibility in every aspect. Jio Mart's mobile application is a great example of accessibility. Designed with a user-friendly interface, it ensures that individuals with varying levels of digital literacy can navigate and use the platform easily, which also includes users with disabilities. Some other features like text-to-speech and voice assistance are an add on for a more accessible experience.
Designing for Social Change
You might be wondering why I haven't mentioned social change earlier. I deliberately saved it for last because I believe it's one of the most crucial aspects when discussing social responsibility. Sustainability is not something that can be ignored living in an era of climate change and emerging pandemics. It's very important for human beings to do their bit. As designers we have the power to create visual narratives that celebrate the beauty of nature and advocate for sustainable practices.
Let's discuss some aspects of social change-
Advocacy for Sustainable Practices: Designers have a platform to advocate for sustainable practices within their industries. Platforms like Instagram can help in promoting sustainability and influence positive change on a broader scale.
A few examples of the same-
Makeitminicomics- “Making the world a better place, one comic at a time!” is the tagline Lovlaa Garg goes by. From conducting eco-friendly Rakhi making workshops to talking about less plastic usage, she has a very simple and heartwarming style of conveying her message, her characters of the heart and brain strike the perfect emotional cords. Inspiring a whole era of designers towards sustainable habits. Check out her work here- (https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq5LpOIpGuE/?img_index=1)
Green humour- Rohan Chakravarty, A cartoonist and illustrator from Nagpur talks about wildlife, nature conservation, environmental issues, sustainability and all things green. His comics are humorous yet thought- provoking. He spreads awareness on a range of wildlife species. Published in The Hindu, Mid-day, Round Glass and many other wildlife journals. His comic strips help spread awareness and promote sustainable living.
(Work link- https://www.instagram.com/green_humour/)
Circular Design: Embracing circular design principles involves designing products with a focus on reuse, repair, and recycling. This approach minimizes waste and encourages a more sustainable product life cycle. Thaely, an Indian startup, is a great example of circular design, a sustainable sneakers brand that is made entirely out of waste plastic bags, without the use of any chemicals. One sneaker produced by Thaeley is made out of 10 plastic bags and 12 plastic bottles making it a complete sustainable package.
Product packaging- Minimizing packaging waste is crucial for sustainability. Designers can explore eco-friendly packaging options, reduce unnecessary packaging, and encourage the use of recycled or biodegradable materials. Similarly Phool, a lifestyle and wellness brand is solving the problem of flower and packaging waste. They have created a compostable packaging using seed paper infused with Tulsi, or holy basil, seeds, and ink made from vegetable dyes. After using the incense or flowers, all the user must do is unfold the paper, bury it in a pot with dirt, water it regularly, and watch the seeds sprout into a Tulsi plant.
These are a just a few ways in which you can be socially responsible, but there no given set of rules that you have to follow necessarily, social responsibility is something that comes from within, only you can drive yourself to make a positive change, and to believe that you are not just a part of a project but something a lot bigger than that. It's about cultivating a mindset that sees design not merely as a professional work but as a powerful force with the potential to contribute to the greater good.
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