The Oaths highlighted are featured in Touchpoint, the Journal of Service Design. The article is titled, "A Designer's Hippocratic Oath: Collaboratively Defining a Code of Ethics for Design". We selected 15 designers from different disciplines to participate in the creation of the first Designer's Oaths.
I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant: I will respect the hard-won knowledge of the human condition of those designers in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such empathetic decisions as are mine with those who are to follow.
I will apply, for the benefit of the people, all measures that are ecocentric and holistic avoiding those twin traps of behavioral manipulation and pure profitability.
I will remember that the best design sprouts from the user's understanding of their own needs, not the designer's dreams, assumptions, or aesthetic preferences. I will endeavor to uncover the true problem my clients are aiming to address.
I will not hesitate to say "this is not a problem design alone can solve," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed to deliver quality solutions.
Most especially must I tread with care in matters of fashion vs. innovation. If it is given to me to better a life, all thanks.
But it may also be within my power to adapt a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.
I will remember that I do not design for a pattern or a platform but a human being, whose choices may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to design adequately for experience.
I will prevent apathy in design whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to reaction.
I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm. If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of problem solving for those who need it most.
I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant: I will draw upon the hard-won wisdom of those patients and clinicians upon whose behalf I advocate. I will learn from and share with my fellow designers, thus strengthening our collective knowledge.
I will apply, for the benefit of the people, my skills of listening, observing, and inviting all stakeholders into the design process. I will use my strong voice to advocate for the people I represent, and I will seek the simplest solution to the problem at hand. I will practice my craft with an open heart.
I will remember that there is unwavering optimism to design as well as pragmatism, and that warmth, empathy, and understanding ground the visual language, interactions, and experiences of our physical and digital solutions.
I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed to create the best possible experience for my users.
Most especially must I remember that in building and creating I may also harm and destroy. I must do more than design out of good intentions. I must aim to understand the consequences of my practice, with great humbleness and awareness of my own biases. Above all I must not play God.
I will remember that I do not design for pretexts of a person or semblances of a person, but a whole human being, whose needs and preferences may affect their loved ones, passions and lifestyle. My responsibility includes these interconnected domains, if I am to design adequately to truly meet human beings where they are and for who they are.
I will prevent anguish for people whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to rehabilitation.
I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those who commission my work as well as those whose experiences, decisions, and lives may be affected by it.
If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art by respecting what has preceded me and the potential for what may follow. May I always design with empathy and care and may I long experience the joy of creating for others.
I swear to make the user's task my own responsibility. I swear to make their successes theirs and their failures mine. My role is to build on the sound knowledge of people and art and combine that with new knowledge of latest trends and technology so that it can bring the user to success. My role is NOT to feed my own ego. The easy way out I am looking for is for the user, not for me.
I will remember that I do not design for a customer, patient or a persona, but a human being, whose choices may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to design adequately for people, their loved ones and communities. I will prevent reductive instrumental thinking whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to reaction.
I will remember that there is art in design as well as empathy, and that serving someone else's needs may outweigh my own sense of aesthetics and style.
On behalf of the people for whom we design, I will respect my clients and earn their respect. I will always advocate for the most effective design solution whether or not it is mine.
Most especially must I tread with care in matters of my body of work and choosing which problems to solve. If it is given to me to delight, all thanks.
But it may also be within my power to relieve systemic suffering; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own limitations.
Above all, I must not play at God.
I will remember that I am a member of society, with responsibilities to all my fellow humans. Therefore, I will strive for the most positive outcomes for our users, our society and our planet.
If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling. And may I long experience the joy of designing quality experiences that produce a net positive impact on our world.