Designing with Ethics in Mind: My Personal Code of Ethics as a UX Designer
This semester in my HCDE course, Navigating Design in Organizations, I learned that design isn’t just about solving problems or creating business value—it’s also about understanding the ethical impact of our work.
Features like infinite scroll🖱️ or the like❤️ button were designed to boost engagement, but over time, they’ve shaped how we relate to social media and ourselves. As designers, we have a responsibility to think beyond short-term outcomes.
Why Ethics in Design Matters
With tools like AI accelerating product development, we also face bigger ethical questions:
Are we building responsibly?
Are we considering bias, equity, and unintended harm?
Designers must be prepared not only to make ethical decisions—but also to take accountability when things don’t go as planned.
My Code of Ethics as a UX Designer
To keep myself grounded, I created a personal Code of Ethics—five principles I’ll carry with me into every project:
Embrace Subtlety
Great design isn’t always loud. Often, it’s the quiet solutions that have the deepest impact.Engage in Dialogue with the World
Design is a conversation. Listening and responding thoughtfully is essential.Accept Imperfection
Mistakes are part of the process. What matters is how we learn and iterate from them.Rely on Evidence
Ground design decisions in research, empathy, and real-world understanding.Play with Different Sides
Explore diverse perspectives. The best solutions are shaped by complexity, not simplicity.