I am a design student. I am learning about concepts, ideas, and problem
solving. I am also learning about who I am and what I stand for. Hank Richardson, my instructor and President of Portfolio Center, is always quoting Alexander Hamilton saying, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” Something my father has taught me, too.
While home for a school break I was shocked to see a report on CNN that certain Anti-Christian groups actually suggested the word Christ be taken out of Christmas. As a Catholic woman, I was horrified that anyone would suggest that, but then I started thinking about why wouldn’t they? My faith is a part of my value system, but I am just one person. I know what I believe as my truth, but what about the truths of others? As I started thinking about values I found myself with more questions than answers, so I turned to fellow students and professionals working in the design community.
The questions that have me most confused are those about balancing my values, work, and one day future clients. In school we are given creative freedom to express what we think our �hypothetical client’ needs to solve their problem. In an article called Values Determine Credibility and Ethics, Bette Price wrote, ”Ethics is learning right from wrong, and then doing the right thing. But is it that simple? Often, doing the right thing is not simple and straight forward. Right and wrong defined by different people may manifest diverse thinking, motivated by each individual’s personal values.”
I asked some classmates in Design History and Criticism, their opinions on balancing their values and assignments we get as students. Robin Fuller, a 4th quarter design student told me, “Usually we have a good bit of freedom with the work, but occasionally I’m asked to do a project about something that may not speak directly to my value set, like the tsunami poster we are doing in this class. It’s not that I don’t care, but altruism is not one of my core values, and I would not have chosen the topic for myself. But a project like this gives me a chance to learn something new, and hopefully to better define my values in that area.”
But what about the real world, the real client; how do you balance your own personal values and the outside world? I posed several questions to practicing designers for their opinions and some guidance. Don Hollis of Hollis Design said, “You can not compromise your values. Pursue ongoing relationships with clients who respect your opinion and appreciate your insight. End relationships with the ones that do not. Focus on producing good work and you will grow clients that want the same thing.”
That advice sounds completely rational, but now I have another question, how do I find out who is going to respect me? And what if the firm I one day work has clients who may compromise my values? The first answer would be don’t work there. As a student we are told to research firms where we would like to work. I go to websites, read about their clients, and view their online portfolios. Majority of the sites say something in regards to “big ideas,” problem solving, and teamwork. I really want to know how they decide whom to work with and their core values. Some sites say these things, others don’t. But lets say the number one firm I want to work for has a cigarette company as a client? For me, I would not want to design or work for that client, is it okay to tell the Creative Director that? Or do I check that employer off my list?
James Victore passed on some advice to me as well, he says, “When you choose vanilla bean, you exclude all the 51 other flavors. You CAN NOT have it all. But, nobody really wants it all. If we are really honest with ourselves (this is sometimes a difficult task) we can find what we can live with. If you want huge “success” with this business (whatever that is) you will have to accept sacrifice. Relationships, maybe. Kids possibly. Or any of the other trappings that that brings. BUT, you can figure out how to have what you need (does this sound like a Rolling Stones song?) and then the trick is how to be happy. THAT is the key.”
Pamela Trow-Johnson told me one of her core values is having integrity. When asked about balancing her values and with client demands she said, “I’d like to think I know how far to go. It’s the old winning the battle or the war adage.” She went on to tell me about a time she was asked to do a job that went against her value system, “Back during the Reagan administration I was hired by the Republican Party in DC to work with one of three divisions of the party called Working Partners (they were responsible for developing volunteerism in communities around the country) to develop workbooks on volunteerism. Even though I had never been politically active, I didn’t agree with the Reagan administration. I did the work, made a lot of money and managed to justify it by saying I didn’t care about politics. I can see why integrity is so important to me now. I could never have done this for the Bush administration, not even for a million dollars.”
Asking questions is part of being a responsible designer, and by doing so we demonstrate our commitment to our own core values. I am learning that I should question myself and my work at all times. As designers we should always ask ourselves, how am I incorporating my values into this work? And how can I balance my values with client demands? It will promote being a conscientious designer. Like Hank and my dad say, You must stand for something or you will fall for anything. I stand for honesty, integrity, creativity, and respect.
Julie Jawor is a student at Portfolio Center. This essay is the sixth in a series by PC students who took part in Bryony’s long-distance Design Thinking class during the quarter of winter 2005.
> And what if the firm I one day work has clients who may compromise my values? The first answer would be don’t work there.
Julie, the first answer is pretty much correct. If you are going to have a problem with an employer's clients, don't get into a situation you are uncomfortable with. And as a junior designer the chances of your opinion changing an employer's decisions to work with a questionable client will likely not resonate enough. And at the end of the day, it's their business. They are the ones deciding where, how and from whom money comes in the door.
The bigger question, how to reconcile your values with the demands of clients… You'll know. It's clear as pie when a client is asking you to do something you are not comfortable doing, it all depends what you want to do about it. And how do you know what to do about it? You'll know.
How many comments before Milton's 12 steps to hell comes up?
On Apr.26.2005 at 09:23 AM