What do you think?
Rate this book
Do Good Design: How Designers Can Change the World
How Design CAN CHANGE the World
Today, everyone is a designer. And the future of civilization is our common design project. How does design help choose our leaders?
Why do we really have an environmental crisis?
How can accessible design broaden your audience?
Why does the U.S. economy now struggle to compete?
How has design thinking added to the bottom line of the world’s most valuable companies?
Design matters. As it never has before. Design creates so much of what we see, what we use, and what we experience. In a time of unprecedented environmental, social, and economic crises, designers must now choose what their young profession will be deploying weapons of mass deception — or helping repair the world.
Do Good Design is a call to
This book alerts us to the role design plays in persuading global audiences to fulfill invented needs. The book then outlines a sustainable approach to both the practice and the consumption of design. All professionals will be inspired by the message of how we can feel better and do better while holding onto our principles.
In a time when anything has become possible, design thinking offers a way forward for us all. What will you do?
Today, everyone is a designer. And the future of civilization is our common design project. How does design help choose our leaders?
Why do we really have an environmental crisis?
How can accessible design broaden your audience?
Why does the U.S. economy now struggle to compete?
How has design thinking added to the bottom line of the world’s most valuable companies?
Design matters. As it never has before. Design creates so much of what we see, what we use, and what we experience. In a time of unprecedented environmental, social, and economic crises, designers must now choose what their young profession will be deploying weapons of mass deception — or helping repair the world.
Do Good Design is a call to
This book alerts us to the role design plays in persuading global audiences to fulfill invented needs. The book then outlines a sustainable approach to both the practice and the consumption of design. All professionals will be inspired by the message of how we can feel better and do better while holding onto our principles.
In a time when anything has become possible, design thinking offers a way forward for us all. What will you do?
180 pages, Paperback
First published December 13, 2008
20 people are currently reading
518 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 4, 2009
This might be an unfair review of this book, because I'm not quite the intended audience. Right there on the back, under the publisher's mark, there is a "Book Level" category (boy, do we designers love to categorize!), and it clearly says: "Beginning/Intermediate".
Having already devoured books like Cradle to Cradle, Worldchanging, and Design Like You Give a Damn, all of which go into an enormous amount of inspiring depth about what designers actually are doing about the state of affairs today, this book came off as sort of old news. I have a hard time trying to single out anything I actually learned from it that I hadn't already read elsewhere.
BUT... for those designers who are new to the idea of ethical design practices, this book clearly and concisely presents some excellent and compelling arguments about our responsibilities as designers, and some very top-line basics of how we can change the way we do things.
The one thing I did get out of it was toward the end. Berman very persuasively argues (guilts you into...) taking real action now. That's something I can and should hear over and over again, regardless of all the facts, figures and role models I already know.
Having already devoured books like Cradle to Cradle, Worldchanging, and Design Like You Give a Damn, all of which go into an enormous amount of inspiring depth about what designers actually are doing about the state of affairs today, this book came off as sort of old news. I have a hard time trying to single out anything I actually learned from it that I hadn't already read elsewhere.
BUT... for those designers who are new to the idea of ethical design practices, this book clearly and concisely presents some excellent and compelling arguments about our responsibilities as designers, and some very top-line basics of how we can change the way we do things.
The one thing I did get out of it was toward the end. Berman very persuasively argues (guilts you into...) taking real action now. That's something I can and should hear over and over again, regardless of all the facts, figures and role models I already know.
February 21, 2011
+ Read it for free in Gramedia
+ Indonesian version
Advertisement and environmental destruction is an unseparable world said David Berman.
Lots of advertisement nowadays is not environmentally friendly for our health especially mind.
In fact, advertisement cause more and more environmental destruction all over the world.
Designers responsible to that action and with 'good' design we 'designers' can truly do some action to save the world.
+ Indonesian version
Advertisement and environmental destruction is an unseparable world said David Berman.
Lots of advertisement nowadays is not environmentally friendly for our health especially mind.
In fact, advertisement cause more and more environmental destruction all over the world.
Designers responsible to that action and with 'good' design we 'designers' can truly do some action to save the world.
December 3, 2020
Solid thoughts from David Berman. The concepts in the book are more and more widely accepted in the design industry. We as designers have a responsibility to think about the content we put into the world. I felt like Berman was doing that thing where you brag about knowing about a band way before anyone else to try and prove you are on the inside.
April 24, 2009
I really want to give this book 4 stars, but honestly, it's just not that good.
Do Good Design is reads like a slim, timely lecture given by a semi-engaging professor. The examples Berman uses come mostly from advertising, and almost completely ignore online media - which for me makes the book seem dated right out of the gate.
David Berman outlines a case for socially responsible design using solid examples of deceptive, dirty design (tobacco, fast food, sex and the degradation of women to hawk unrelated products). It's just that the book is so slim it's really an outline - Berman comes close to inspiring, just never reaches the tipping point IMO.
In the more proficient hands of a Paul Hawken this could have been a must read. Instead, it's a mediocre exploration of a very interesting concept.
Do Good Design is reads like a slim, timely lecture given by a semi-engaging professor. The examples Berman uses come mostly from advertising, and almost completely ignore online media - which for me makes the book seem dated right out of the gate.
David Berman outlines a case for socially responsible design using solid examples of deceptive, dirty design (tobacco, fast food, sex and the degradation of women to hawk unrelated products). It's just that the book is so slim it's really an outline - Berman comes close to inspiring, just never reaches the tipping point IMO.
In the more proficient hands of a Paul Hawken this could have been a must read. Instead, it's a mediocre exploration of a very interesting concept.
March 26, 2010
The author has many valid points, though some of the logic could use a little polish. Designer is far too general a term, and far too specific, as used in this book. Sometimes it feels like everyone is a designer and sometimes just a select few. A definition of designer would have been helpful. If I were a designer in the main theme of this work I might be proud that design is portrayed as the most important profession. Since most people are not designers it seems the wrong tact to take, especially considering this book contains information important to all people. While the author's main audience are design professionals, the consumers of design have the ability to affect as much if not more change than designers themselves.
February 10, 2013
Well, i love the way this book argue about nowadays design that put less attention on sustainability. Todays design tend to persuade people to be more consumptive (buying emotionally). Thus, it can also elaborate how todays design also responsible for many cultural distortion in many countries, or so called westernization every-where. Yet, i can not explicitly found one best solution how to balance between economic growth and sustainability through design; a point that will crucially determine how good the author at finding better solution for a more balanced world.
February 5, 2018
Bukunya bagus. Memberi sudut pandang yang berbeda dari bacaan desain lainnya. Bagaimana desainer ternyata mempunyai peran yang begitu besar dalam kehidupan sosial. Misal desainnya mempengaruhi orang-orang untuk menjalani hidup konsumtif, dsb. Di buku ini mengatakan, jangan hanya menjadikan desain bernilai estetika saja. Namun, harus mengutamakan nilai guna dan manfaat jika dikembalikan lagi dalam kehidupan sosial.
June 27, 2024
I finished this book within a few days of picking it up at Powell's. It's a great intro into design ethics– full of examples and personal anecdotes that give context to the essential ideas behind design ethics. After I read it I couldn't stop noticing unethical design in my day-to-day. It also ends on a call to action that I can get behind. Must-read for all designers. (Especially because design ethics is rarely taught at university.)
March 12, 2019
Desde que termine mi carrera, pensaba; los doctores pueden curar, los arquitectos mejorar casas, etc. pero los diseñadores como pueden aportar a la sociedad ademas de vender?. Este libro me ha servido de motivacion para creer que mi profesion, lo que amo hacer tambien puede ayudar a las personas.
Es un referente de introduccion para hacer diseño sustentable.
Es un referente de introduccion para hacer diseño sustentable.
December 12, 2018
Очень много слов про то, что не надо делать дизайн и вещи, которые направлены на угнетения человека, природы, женщин, детей и прочее. К концу очень нудно. Спасает только хорошая верстка, которую было интересно изучать после прочтения последней книги.
June 6, 2025
Stellar! This says things I think a lot of people are afraid to say and points out corporate americas wrongdoings. Definitely has left me with some things to think about in my own work and future as a designer !
January 9, 2024
This goes straight into my Holy Grail of design books.
Made me cry.
Ethical design YAY!!!
Made me cry.
Ethical design YAY!!!
December 21, 2025
me ayudo para la tarea jajaja
December 25, 2022
Do Good Design is a book that explores the role of designers in shaping the world and creating positive change. The book is written by David B. Kelley, the founder of IDEO and a design thinker, and provides a guide to using design thinking to create positive social impact.
One key learning point from the book is the importance of using design thinking to solve complex social and environmental problems. Kelley discusses how design thinking can be used to identify and address complex challenges in areas such as healthcare, education, and the environment, and how designers can use this approach to create innovative and effective solutions. He provides tips and techniques for using design thinking to identify and understand the needs of different stakeholders, and for prototyping and testing ideas to create positive impact.
Another key learning point is the importance of using design to create inclusive and equitable experiences. Kelley discusses the role of designers in creating products and experiences that are accessible and inclusive, and how to use design to address issues of diversity and inclusion. He provides tips and techniques for designing products and experiences that are inclusive and equitable, and how to use design to create positive social change.
Overall, I would rate the book 3/5. The book provides some useful and practical insights into the role of design in creating positive social impact, and the content is well-organized and easy to follow. However, some readers may find that the focus on design thinking may not be as applicable to certain types of design projects or industries, and some of the content may be overly theoretical for some readers.
One key learning point from the book is the importance of using design thinking to solve complex social and environmental problems. Kelley discusses how design thinking can be used to identify and address complex challenges in areas such as healthcare, education, and the environment, and how designers can use this approach to create innovative and effective solutions. He provides tips and techniques for using design thinking to identify and understand the needs of different stakeholders, and for prototyping and testing ideas to create positive impact.
Another key learning point is the importance of using design to create inclusive and equitable experiences. Kelley discusses the role of designers in creating products and experiences that are accessible and inclusive, and how to use design to address issues of diversity and inclusion. He provides tips and techniques for designing products and experiences that are inclusive and equitable, and how to use design to create positive social change.
Overall, I would rate the book 3/5. The book provides some useful and practical insights into the role of design in creating positive social impact, and the content is well-organized and easy to follow. However, some readers may find that the focus on design thinking may not be as applicable to certain types of design projects or industries, and some of the content may be overly theoretical for some readers.
September 9, 2016
This was a powerful look at the role of ethics and the moral obligations of designers. The author makes the case that overconsumption is the prime issue of our lifetimes, and that designers have a prominent role in spurring this overconsumption on, with the cumulative effects being pollution of our mental environment and inching ever closer to the destruction or crippling of our physical environment. Berman writes in a very easy and conversational way, shows great respect for the reader and humankind in general, and provides numerous examples throughout. Given the nature of some of these examples, this is not a book you would feel comfortable leaving around where small children could access it (although this fact supports the thesis of the book that designers are going to extreme lengths to lie to you through design using whatever means necessary to get you to consume, consume, consume! The explicit ads in the book are all published somewhere visible somewhere in the world where many children see them every day!).
Berman asks designers to "Do Good" and to commit some level of their professional efforts to that cause, among other things. It is a reasonable, although somewhat idealistic, request, but the power behind such a concept would be incredible if even half of the readers took him up on it.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and will be more conscious of the impact of my daily choices as a result of reading it. I am also actively thinking of low cost ways to make an impact on the world, however small.
Berman asks designers to "Do Good" and to commit some level of their professional efforts to that cause, among other things. It is a reasonable, although somewhat idealistic, request, but the power behind such a concept would be incredible if even half of the readers took him up on it.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and will be more conscious of the impact of my daily choices as a result of reading it. I am also actively thinking of low cost ways to make an impact on the world, however small.
January 6, 2015
Tuve la oportunidad de conocer a Berman en persona en un viaje que hizo a mi universidad en el marco de un congreso de diseño. Es una persona cautivante de una cultura totalmente distinta a la nuestra. Uno tiene la oportunidad de apreciar la misma personalidad tanto en el libro como en las presentaciones que hace y en el alcance que le da a su trabajo como activista del buen diseño.
Es un libro completo, con una gran cantidad de investigación y experiencia que muchos viajes le han otorgado. Es un gran llamado motivacional para hacer un diseño que haga bien a la sociedad, un diseño sustentable, ecológico, congruente con su entorno y sobre todo, hecho en búsqueda de una mejoría notable.
Es un libro completo, con una gran cantidad de investigación y experiencia que muchos viajes le han otorgado. Es un gran llamado motivacional para hacer un diseño que haga bien a la sociedad, un diseño sustentable, ecológico, congruente con su entorno y sobre todo, hecho en búsqueda de una mejoría notable.
June 13, 2021
"Marketing can indeed make a positive difference to the world"
I am greatly inspired by this book and have learned a lot of it. It teaches us the concept that there are ways to achieve the same effect of promotion and marketing without giving up on positive and moral messages. It reinforces my belief in that we do not need to lower our values for concepts and ideals we believe in, rather this would encourage us to come up with better and more creative solutions. Love this book. It changes our way of looking at advertising, and the approach we would take (even for a layperson who is not in the business of marketing) if we would one day be given the chance to promote something in our lives.
I am greatly inspired by this book and have learned a lot of it. It teaches us the concept that there are ways to achieve the same effect of promotion and marketing without giving up on positive and moral messages. It reinforces my belief in that we do not need to lower our values for concepts and ideals we believe in, rather this would encourage us to come up with better and more creative solutions. Love this book. It changes our way of looking at advertising, and the approach we would take (even for a layperson who is not in the business of marketing) if we would one day be given the chance to promote something in our lives.
June 14, 2017
Somewhat resembles Papanek's “Design for the Real World”, more into social responsibility and “weapons of mass deceptions”, less into design theory; contemporary view of the concept, in the world built upon social networks, and ever-growing consumerism. It is well seasoned with illustrations and amusing details about world-famous brands, so it is well worth the time reading even if you're not really into design. The book is brief enough (180 pages) for you to go through the whole thing in just a few hours (took me only three).
August 1, 2009
This is a really interesting book about the social responsibility that graphic designers can take. Even if you're not a designer, it's an interesting perspective on consumerism, advertising, and offers a lot of insight into our society and how we can make positive changes. I really loved it. It's a good quick read, and very accessible even for people like me who have a short attention span for nonfiction. I would highly recommend it for high school classes studying marketing, art, etc.
January 30, 2012
Do Good Design was an incredible book, very explanatory of our world's current issues, and mind-opening. David Berman did a great job challenging his readers to not only advertise well but to do good for humanity (in so many ways). Berman meticulously describes our society and how designers shape it with catchy advertisements. I truly recommend it to anyone who wants to become a graphic designer someday because all of us are designers in some way.
March 7, 2009
An inspiring, short volume that introduces the reader to the world of socially conscious design. While not getting too far in depth a plethora of visual examples and personal anecdotes will hopefully inspire interested folks to learn more. Read my full review here: http://www.alrdesign.com/blog/2009/02...
March 7, 2022
Enjoyed this immensely. It's such a rare delight that I had never experienced before, to be reading something so topical, that is of such a recent vintage that events referred to happened only a few months ago and are still happening now.
But, by the way, I like the layout and the interactivity of so many of the pages, having to turn the book sideways, etc.
But, by the way, I like the layout and the interactivity of so many of the pages, having to turn the book sideways, etc.
July 22, 2010
I read few chapters of the book in the library , liked the conspet behind it . I studied business ethics in the university , and wished - after reading this book - that this book was our main text book . Full of examples and real world cases
January 7, 2013
Simple and effective at getting the point across, especially for newbies. When you're finished go research and read more in-depth books and rediscover yourself as a much better informed, ethical designer.
November 1, 2009
Marketing and merchandise is what this world is about today. The people in charge of these things could really do their part to "go green", help world poverty, hunger, etc.
February 26, 2010
Thank you! This was a Christmas present from my Pratt teacher
September 22, 2011
"today, everyone is a designer. and the future of civilization is our common"
December 12, 2013
reading it again everyday! thank you david
April 12, 2013
This book really changed my view of graphic design industry. All graphic designers are agent of change. But it's you who choose whether you want to make the good or the bad change.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2016
Every designer needs to read this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews