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As simple as the headline states: Mike highlights a number of examples of how the design practice's lack of full-circle consideration and capitalistic bias has led to consequences well beyond the short-sighted goals of improving engagement. However, the delivery carries a constant undertone of frustration and anger, which – although justified – tends to pepper the message's flavour with more spice than needed. However, the core points of the author are undeniable, and this book should be read by every person who is involved in the making and consuming of products: from the folks at the top, through the people that build the things, to the end customers.
In this book, Mike takes the task the generations of designers who have let terrible things happen on their watch. From the Facebook designers who allow the company to harvest all of our data, to the designers of cages to put immigrant children in. At every level, Designers have both helped and hindered humanity, and the latter often feels like it’s winning.
Read this book if you’re interested in how you, as a designer, can make the world a better place for humanity. And definitely read this book if you work at the companies we often see as worst offenders: Facebook, Twitter, Google.
5.0 out of 5 starsAn important read for creatives and non creatives alike
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 June 2019
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Possibly one of the best design books I've ever read and it's so easy to read. It's not meant to provide magical solutions, just analysing how we've dug ourselves a hole and how we could've not. Definitely worth reading, no matter which industry you cover- it makes you think from the first page. As a design graduate just starting out, its a necessary read, but highly suited to any level. Great source of inspiration, no matter whether you agree with its content or not. Well done.
You don't have to agree with everything that Mike Monteiro says or thinks to enjoy this book. However I guarantee you'll finish the book (or even the first few chapters) with a very good idea of what your position is on bad design, especially design that manipulates and exploits people.
4.0 out of 5 starsAn entertaining rant, but worth reading
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 December 2019
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It's an unashamed rant about designers and their lack of responsibility. This book's highly entertaining and contains a lot of good points, although I'm not sure the author's proposed solutions are quite as simple as he suggests. E.g. I'm not convinced the body of knowledge used by designers is mature or well-enough defined to serve as the basis for a certification scheme for professionals. In fact I'm not even sure the definition of "designer" is clear enough to know who should or shouldn't be registered. And while some designs are definitely evil, sometimes it's more because of unforeseen consequences than malice. However, anything that reminds us that we need to think about ethics and responsibility before we implement things is good. So even if you don't agree with all the points it's a fun read, and a compact book so won't take long to absorb. And if some of the points make you feel uncomfortable, that's good.