{"id":360,"date":"2022-02-06T10:02:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-06T10:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/?p=360"},"modified":"2026-02-05T15:56:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T15:56:32","slug":"a-plea-for-kindness-and-self-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/index.php\/2022\/02\/06\/a-plea-for-kindness-and-self-love\/","title":{"rendered":"A plea for kindness and self-love"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/creativemornings.com\/cities\/utr\">Creative Mornings Utrecht<\/a>&nbsp;are nice group of people. Curious designers, keen to share en to allow others to share too. So, when I was invited to do a talk on the theme&nbsp;<em>Promise<\/em>, I was very happy. The opportunity to sharpen my thoughts into a lecture lifted my spirits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My talk was recorded and is available on YouTube. It will take 19 minutes and 19 seconds of your time to watch.\u00a0For the readers I made a little summary that will take about 5 minutes of your time.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"astrid poot: PROMISE\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FJ6itVebr_g?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>(I was focusing on our Zoom guests during the recording, please don\u2019t feel overlooked\u2026)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I promise \u2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As designers we shape the world, we organise the behaviour of other people. Therefore we are doing ethics for others and&nbsp;<em>that is a huge responsibility.<\/em>So some time ago I decided to study ethics in design some more, to better understand my own position and to become a better lecturer for the design students I sometimes teach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I talked to many people, I\u00a0wrote a lot\u00a0-most important:\u00a0My big plan\u00a0(Dutch) and\u00a0Learnings so far\u00a0(Dutch)- and started\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/astridenvasilis.nl\/praten-makkelijk\/\">a podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two clear patterns showed themselves:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>First: all designers I talked to get into an acute attack of imposter syndrome when asked about ethics. One of our podcast guest put it nicely: designers feel they need to study Kant for 20 years before being allowed to think and talk about ethics. (And feel unworthy because of that.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Second: ethics is about being good. And being good means making sacrifices.\u00a0No glamorous assignments, no fun parties in Cannes and no money. \u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/inzichten-1240x698-1-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-362\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/inzichten-1240x698-1-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/inzichten-1240x698-1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/inzichten-1240x698-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/inzichten-1240x698-1.png 1240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/astridpoot.nl\/2020\/01\/24\/denkkaart-wat-is-goed-ontwerp-wat-maakt-iemand-tot-een-goede-ontwerper\/\">Victor Papanek (Design for the real world)<\/a>&nbsp;calls these excuses.* Signs of weakness. And at first I agreed. So I started out with my ethics research by writing an&nbsp;<em>awful list of restrictions and rules<\/em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>force these upon you<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But now I am not so sure anymore that\u2019s the right approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I strongly believe as designers we need to make progress, we have to be bolder than we are now. But we don\u2019t have to change&nbsp;<em>everything<\/em>. We can be kind to ourselves. I think we can be a little&nbsp;<em>pragmatic<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>*) By the way: I love the book, Papanek shares many great ideas. All designers should definitely read it.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5 promises<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/belofte-1240x698-1-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-363\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/belofte-1240x698-1-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/belofte-1240x698-1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/belofte-1240x698-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/belofte-1240x698-1.png 1240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Don\u2019t be weak, be kind.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Weak designers uphold the system. The system that is often driven by money and competition.\u00a0So\u00a0<em>strong<\/em>\u00a0would make a nice opposite. But I believe\u00a0<em>kind<\/em>\u00a0is a better one. That doesn\u2019t mean you don\u2019t have to be strong: when clients and colleagues treat you like a printer you should resist, if only because you are a skilled person and not a stupid machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"780\" src=\"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/systeem-1240x945-1-1024x780.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-364\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/systeem-1240x945-1-1024x780.png 1024w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/systeem-1240x945-1-300x229.png 300w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/systeem-1240x945-1-768x585.png 768w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/systeem-1240x945-1.png 1240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Being strong shows self-love.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And kindly review the situation. Because&nbsp;<em>Mr. Client<\/em>&nbsp;en&nbsp;<em>Carol Colleague<\/em>&nbsp;have good reasons to ask what they ask. From their perspective, that is. You can offer the other perspective. You can redesign the situation. Isn\u2019t it much better to strive for well being instead of profit? Isn\u2019t is much better to cooperate and not compete?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Starting a dialogue and not a war, makes you a&nbsp;<em>kind<\/em>&nbsp;designer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Don\u2019t be an expert, be human<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But be careful not to become too&nbsp;<em>expert-ish<\/em>. Some experts remove themselves from the conversation: they no longer treat others as equals. That kills any dialogue. Especially because in design your audience are all experts too! Experts of their now life. Bring your expertise, but make sure you keep an open attitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don\u2019t dehumanise people by calling them a&nbsp;<em>target<\/em>. Loose the company-behaviour.&nbsp;Don\u2019t use stupid words and&nbsp;<em>never believe<\/em>&nbsp;using post-its equals a creative process. Yes, post-its can support a creative process, but they can never be at the heart of one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just connect to the people you are designing for. Have a conversation. Be curious and share your thoughts. That should always be the heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And be open towards your own idea.&nbsp;Don\u2019t play an expert checking with the briefing and persona\u2019s that you got.&nbsp;But be a human and ask two simple questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Does your idea help you audience? The answer should be yes.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Does your idea cause any unacceptable damage? The answer should be no.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/goed-1240x698-1-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/goed-1240x698-1-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/goed-1240x698-1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/goed-1240x698-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/goed-1240x698-1.png 1240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Don\u2019t be frustrated, but do nourish your anger<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most of the work I do is driven by anger. I love anger: to me it is a powerful force. And it doesn\u2019t make my work angry: most of it is optimistic and happy.\u00a0<strong>Key is to move from frustration towards power.<\/strong>\u00a0To redesign your rage into a force for good. (<a href=\"https:\/\/astridpoot.nl\/2020\/03\/28\/ontwerpen-vanuit-woede\/\">More on anger (Dutch)<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/anger-1024x575.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/anger-1024x575.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/anger-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/anger-768x431.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/anger.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understand your power<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the great&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/brittanypacknett.com\/\">Brittany Packnett Cunningham<\/a>&nbsp;once put it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>WHAT<\/strong>&nbsp;are you angry about?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>HOW<\/strong>&nbsp;do you want it to change?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>WHO<\/strong>&nbsp;are you, uniquely, to do something about it?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>WHAT<\/strong>&nbsp;will be different because&nbsp;<strong>YOU<\/strong>&nbsp;took action?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Don\u2019t be cynical, be naive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s easy to dismiss al this as stupid and unrealistic. To be cynical about possible change. But then I will call you lazy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nourish your beginners mind: the capability to look at a situation with new eyes. Be naive, because that will protect you from dismissing vulnerable new plans by talking&nbsp;<em>expert<\/em>. It takes courage to be a bold optimist. It takes courage to believe things can really change. It takes courage to be naive and open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Don\u2019t feel you have to change it all, do your bit.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"550\" src=\"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/ballenschema-1024x550.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/ballenschema-1024x550.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/ballenschema-300x161.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/ballenschema-768x412.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/ballenschema.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Design yourself: to be interested in change is the first step, to be aware and make small changes in your work follow. Do your bit, find our what is within your reach. You don\u2019t have to change it all, but you can always do&nbsp;<em>something<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Trying makes you worthy.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">As designers we are doing ethics for others.&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that\u2019s a big deal, because as designers we have special powers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>As designers we see what\u2019s happening in the world around us.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We can understand what is means, we know what\u2019s the system behind the madness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And we can make change by designing it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use these powers well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I promise to heal the world.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I believe you cannot really win with threats and blaming people for what is wrong. (As some people do in the ethics-design discussion). That only causes rejection and indifference.&nbsp;I believe&nbsp;<em>firm kindness<\/em>&nbsp;is the only way.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please look over the promises I made. And\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:hallo@astridpoot.nl\">let me know<\/a>\u00a0if they work for you too. I will love you for trying. Promise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"749\" src=\"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/blijemensen-1024x749.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-368\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/blijemensen-1024x749.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/blijemensen-300x220.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/blijemensen-768x562.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/blijemensen.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Design yourself!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Further reading<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The things I write about my research on ethics and\/in design are mainly in Dutch (my apologies to the internationals). The best pieces are these:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/index.php\/2020\/12\/31\/ontwerper-wees-geen-printer-wees-een-veranderaar\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"299\">Ontwerper: wees geen printer, wees een veranderaar<\/a>; de tussenstand na een half jaar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Podcast:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/astridenvasilis.nl\/praten-makkelijk\/\">Astrid en Vasilis praten makkelijk<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Creative Mornings Utrecht&nbsp;are nice group of people. Curious designers, keen to share en to allow others to share too. So, when I was invited to do a talk on the theme&nbsp;Promise, I was very happy. The opportunity to sharpen my thoughts into a lecture lifted my spirits. My talk was recorded and is available on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":361,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/360","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=360"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/360\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":369,"href":"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/360\/revisions\/369"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/361"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=360"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=360"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goedmaken.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=360"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}