Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Consider this simple conundrum- is it possible to be a bad good designer or a good bad designer for that matter? If the answer is yes then which is preferable and what does this reveal about the relationship between ethics and design practice? Good- An Introduction to Ethics in Graphic Design seeks to answer these questions. Graphic design is in ethical flux. Good comes at a time of growing disenchantment with style-led design solutions and the pursuit of self-expression alone and yet vacuous design judgements are still made without any real analysis of the criteria used. The terms good and bad are repeatedly applied without qualification whilst the relationship between personal and professional ethics is far too contentious to do any more than give cursory consideration. Despite recent manifestos and themed publications on design for good graphic designers have yet to examine what such terms really mean- in a time of relativism it has been far too divisive to do so. Good takes philosophy as its starting point but is not a philosophy book. It seeks to marry abstract ideas with practical application, removing some of the mystique that surrounds philosophy and highlighting its relevance for us all. Designers are people. This book seeks to engage designers in a debate about their profession and in an analysis of their value and worth. The decisions we make define us, in our ethical choices we reveal who we are.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Using this book (p. 006)
• Declaring an interest (p. 008)
• Some useful definitions (p. 010)
• The parameters of this book (p. 011)
• Introduction (p. 012)
• Section 1 Making good (p. 017)
• Issues raised (p. 032)
• Section 2 Approaching good (p. 033)
• Philosophy (p. 034)
• The law (p. 044)
• Theology (p. 050)
• Politics (p. 058)
• Issues raised (p. 064)
• Glossary of ethical thought (p. 065)
• Human Rights Act, 1998 The Convention Rights (p. 074)
• Section 3 Debating good (p. 081)
• Should I be nice to everyone? (p. 082)
• Who should I work for? (p. 088)
• Is it okay to be happy? (p. 094)
• Who has the right to judge? (p. 100)
• What is it worth? (p. 106)
• Issues raised (p. 112)
• Section 4 Being good (p. 133)
• Furniture and product design/exhibition design/installations (p. 114)
• Are you a good designer? (p. 119)
• Architecture (p. 122)
• Are you a good designer? (p. 125)
• Editorial design (p. 126)
• Are you a good designer? (p. 130)
• Photojournalism (p. 132)
• Are you a good designer? (p. 135)
• Graphic design/public art (p. 136)
• Are you a good designer? (p. 141)
• Issues raised (p. 144)
• Examples (p. 145)
• Section 5 Doing good (p. 161)
• Sustainability Issue Mapping (p. 162)
• Case studies (p. 174)
• Ken Garland (p. 176)
• Violetta Boxill (p. 180)
• Pat Kahn (p. 184)
• Dan Eatock (p. 188)
• Issues raised (p. 192)
• Reference (p. 193)