ARTBOOK BLOGEventsStore NewsMuseum Stores of the MonthNew Title ReleasesStaff PicksImage GalleryBooks in the MediaExcerpts & EssaysArtbook InterviewsEx LibrisAt First SightThe Artbook 2022 Gift GuidesArtbook Featured Image ArchiveDATE 4/1/2023 Rizzoli Bookstore presents Pattie Boyd in conversation with Dave BrolanDATE 3/30/2023 The Cold Gaze of trauma in Weimar artDATE 3/27/2023 'Donald Judd Spaces' new edition releases this week!DATE 3/25/2023 Artbook at Hauser & Wirth LA Bookstore presents the Los Angeles book launch and signing for 'Ash Kolodner: Gayface'DATE 3/25/2023 Never a dull moment in ‘Alex Da Corte: Mr. Remember’DATE 3/23/2023 Back in Stock! 'Gordon Parks: Segregation Story,' expanded editionDATE 3/21/2023 Postmodern fashion genius in 'Cinzia Ruggeri: Cinzia Says...'DATE 3/20/2023 Welcome, Spring!DATE 3/18/2023 The spirit of exploration in 'Thor Heyerdahl: Voyages of the Sun'DATE 3/15/2023 192 Books presents a Tony Feher panel discussionDATE 3/14/2023 Celebrate Pi Day with 'Einstein: The Man and His Mind'DATE 3/14/2023 Revised 'Philip Guston Now' on view at National Gallery of ArtDATE 3/10/2023 Hot book alert! 'Cyberfeminism Index' is out now from Mindy Seu and Inventory Press | EXCERPTS & ESSAYSEMILY PILLOTON | DATE 9/1/2009
Designer's Handshake
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DESIGN REVOLUTION by Emily PillotonThe Designer’s HandshakeI, _____________________________________ , as an individual engaged within a greater design community, promise to try, to the best of my ability, to commit and adhere to the following principles within my work and life as a designer:To go beyond doing no harm:I will engage only in design activities that improve life, both environmental and human. I will recognize that design that does not improve life is a form of apathy and that “doing no harm” is not enough. I will engage only in design processes that are respectful, generative, catalytic, and productive.
To listen, learn, and understand:I recognize that every client, partner, or stranger is someone to learn from. I will listen before assuming. I will seek to understand the historical, geographical, social, cultural, and economic context and precedents before beginning the design process.
To measure, share, and teach:I will measure results quantitatively and qualitatively. I will, as appropriate, make my best practices, successes, tools, and failures available to colleagues for communitybased learning.
To empower, heal, and catalyze:I will use design as a tool to empower people, to make life better, to bring health and improve life, and to enable users to help themselves. I will seek out systemic solutions over quick fixes.
To be optimistic but critical:I will employ perpetual optimism as a design and business strategy but will apply the same critical evaluation toward social and humanitarian design work that I would any other product. Just because it’s “for the greater good” doesn’t make it good design.
To think big and have no fear:I will take calculated risks and not be afraid to use design as a tool for change. I will explore new models for how design can have the greatest impact for the greatest number.
To serve the underserved:I will look first to demographics underserved by design and propose viable solutions for such groups as the homeless, the sick, the ailing, the young and old, the handicapped, poor, and incapacitated.
To not reinvent the wheel:When something works well, I will not assume I can or should start from scratch. I will use what it is available to me and look to local resources, skill sets, and materials.
To not do what I don’t know:I will acknowledge the limits of my expertise and will not hesitate to say “no” or to pass projects to another designer who may do a better job.
To always put the user first:I will always place need over consumption and the human being over the market. I will consider human value, experience, and consequence above all else.
To do good business with good people:I will be honorable in business and partnerships. I will build distribution into my design, and employ businesses that maximize social impact. I will align myself and work with individuals and groups who have the same values as I do.
To own up and repair:I will take responsibility for any failures or mistakes I may make and take measures to repair and understand my errors.
To be part of a greater whole:I will remember that I am a part of a system and a community of designers, users, clients, and global citizens. I will recognize that my individual decisions affect this greater group, and that I have a responsibility to contribute productively.
Insert personal addenda here:
signed: date: e-mail address: Please mail copy to:
Project H Design PO Box 12021 San Rafael, CA 94912
![]() Design Revolution: 100 Products That Empower PeopleMETROPOLIS BOOKS |