Mike Monteiro.
Mike Monteiro emphasised on ethical consideration in our design. He stressed that it is not optional—it is our job. Design is never neutral. Every choice a designer makes has ethical implications and affects people's lives, that means the idea of being an "objective" problem-solver is not realistic. He also emphasised that Ethics must be built-in, not added on. Considering the ethical impact of your work should be a constant part of the design process, not a final review. A designer's primary job is to protect the people who use their product, even if it means challenging a client's or employer's demands.
Our primary ethical duty is to our fellow humans. The work we bring into the world is our responsibility. This principle grounds all others, reminding us that behind every design decision are real people with real lives. A designer's primary job is to protect the people who use their product, even if it means challenging a client's or employer's demands.
We are accountable for your work. Designers can't avoid responsibility by claiming they were "just following orders." If your design causes harm, you share the blame.
A good design that misleads, excludes, or harms is a failure. We must Consider consequences above cleverness. Every design decision made, whether from a button's colour to the most detailed part of the design,has ethical dimensions and real-world impacts on people's lives, privacy, safety, and rights. The message is to Stop pretending that our work is neutral. You are responsible for what you design. If you make something meant to hurt people, you can't be surprised when it does. And if you make something without thinking about how it could hurt people, that's even worse. What you create is how people will remember you.
Ethics Must Be Proactive, Not an Afterthought. Ethics cannot be a box you tick at the end of a project. The message is that ethical considerations must be integrated into every stage of the design process, from research and conception to launch.
When we call someone an "edge case," we're really saying they're not important. Our design should be for all users, especially the most vulnerable; no one should be considered unimportant. An "edge case" is what designers call a situation that affects a small group of users. Monteiro says this is a bad excuse. What seems like a rare problem to you is a real, daily problem for someone else. For example, if a website doesn't work for blind people, calling that an "edge case" ignores their needs.
His main point: Good design must work for everyone, especially the people who need it the most. Don't dismiss anyone's needs as unimportant. You are responsible for the harm your design causes, even if you only cause it to one person. There are no "exceptions" to human dignity.
Designers must guide clients ethically, addressing potential consequences even when difficult.This responsibility is empowering. Having a clear ethical code gives designers the confidence and language to refuse unethical projects and insist on doing work that is good for the public.
The summary of Monteiro's message is a call for designers to grow up, own their influence, and prioritise the well-being of the people they serve. He wants design to be treated as a true profession, where the first rule is to avoid causing harm.