Authentic Design: Ethics and Morality in Communication Design

by David Crow

This book is an exploration of communication design driven by a need for authenticity. It illustrates how communication design has dealt with social, ethical and political issues and looks at how it has adapted to changes in our social and political values – and continues to do so.

Each chapter explores a distinct socio-political issue through established and new case studies and explains the context and the semiotics of these stories. Through these examples, readers will appreciate the effect that global interconnections, the threat of international terrorism, worldwide inequality and the growing concern about the climate has had on the discipline.

- Ethical considerations, and why authenticity matters
- How political and social issues influence direct action and commercial decisions
- Dilemmas of balancing opposing views and social values
- Celebrating true individual expression and encouraging dialogue rather than conflict

Videos, exercises and discussion questions provide engaging ways for readers to explore the topic further, both within their own practice and in other designers' work.

200 pages, Paperback

Expected publication April 1, 2027