In this unit, you will consider a range of ethical problems that are commonly encountered by design practitioners. This can include questions relating to borrowing and acknowledging the ideas and intellectual property of other designers, the impact of design activities on resources and the environment, and the possible influences and effects of design-led change on people and society in general.

You will develop an awareness of ethical design practice, and learn to consider your own design practice and decision-making in the context of broad ethical considerations, such as gender equality, human rights and the ‘social contract,’ environmental responsibility, and fairness, honesty and transparency in commercial and client interactions.

Practical Approaches to Learning at University College
The University College is committed to providing students with opportunities to engage in practical learning experiences. Every unit is therefore driven by at least one approach that is problem or project-based, or that involves work-integrated learning.

In this unit, you will participate in a range of learning activities that focus on design thinking processes and principles, and then be provided opportunities to apply these in practice. You will therefore empathise with the customer/user, identify and define the problem, prototype, test and propose solutions.

These activities allow you to develop discipline-specific skills, knowledge and behaviours, alongside a range of employability skills and professional attributes. Some of these include, for example, empathy, active inquiry, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and innovation, and communication.

To find more information on the University College’s approach to teaching and learning, click here to view in the Unit Outline Essential Information resource.