My Code of Ethics
Good Designers Do ...


0 THE FOOL
Good designers start with curiosity and understand with questions.
In the world of tarot, The Fool is like the starting point marked with the number 0, representing endless possibilities and the beginning of a journey. The Fool, curious and full of questions, sets off with unclear directions, much like the initial stages of any design process.
When I started my journey as a UX Designer, I relied on my own experiences, making assumptions about what users might need. However, as I gained experience, I realized that a good designer begins with questions and curiosity. Exploring the art of asking questions in UX Research, I discovered the importance of embracing a “Fool’s” mindset at the start. It’s only when we approach design with an open mind and without preset notions that we truly uncover users’ difficulties and needs. Learning this lesson in UX Research emphasized the value of curiosity, allowing genuine insights to emerge and guiding the design process beyond initial assumptions.

1 THE MAGICIAN
Good designers base design decisions on qualitative and/or quantitative research.
In tarot, The Magician is a powerful and dynamic card symbolizing transformation, manifestation, and the adept use of one’s skills and resources to instigate change. Numbered as 1, it signifies new beginnings and the initiation of a journey, aligning with how research serves as the inaugural step in every design process.
With a background in design, I used to have a belief that a visually appealing layout held more importance than the underlying meaning. However, after experiencing the failure of one of the product teams I was part of, I began contemplating the significance of basing design decisions on research. Analogous to the four symbols on the magician’s table, which represent the outcomes of research, the magician can then unveil the magic of design to the world.

7 THE CHARIOT
Understand the societal effects of their design decisions.
In tarot, The Chariot is a card symbolizing triumph, willpower, and determination. It typically portrays a warrior or charioteer riding a chariot, drawn by two opposing forces like sphinxes or horses. However, delving into the background, The Chariot signifies the pursuit of success for the people the warrior loves.
During my university course on Technology Ethics, we extensively explored how technology can influence individuals and the ethical responsibilities that technology workers bear when developing new inventions. This course significantly impacted my perspective, prompting me to contemplate the advantages and disadvantages a product could bring to the world. Similar to the two opposing forces depicted in The Chariot, a design can both positively and negatively impact people. A responsible designer should comprehend how their creations can influence an individual’s life.

8 THE STRENGTH
Embrace growth through constructive critique.
In Tarot, The Strength card symbolizes inner strength, courage, and resilience, often depicting a person gently taming a lion. Much like the card’s lesson of accepting critiques, it teaches the importance of having the courage to accept feedback and creating a comfortable environment for others to share critiques.
In my graduate course, “Navigating Design in Organizations,” we delved into the significance of critiques and effective ways to both receive and give them. We explored various frameworks, including the praise sandwich method. I discovered that initiating critiques with “I like, I wish, What if?” increases the likelihood of others accepting our ideas. Similar to the powerful lion, constructive criticism has the strength to enhance a product, but its true impact is realized when approached with gentleness, fostering growth.

9 THE HERMIT
Good designers take time for self reflection.
The Hermit card teaches us about self-reflection and the wisdom gained through life experiences. Imagine an older man standing alone on a mountaintop, holding a lantern that represents the guiding light of inner knowledge.
In the design process, designers often encounter challenges and obstacles. The key lies not just in having experiences, whether good or bad, but in gaining takeaways and growing from them. It’s akin to The Hermit’s lantern, symbolizing the knowledge we gather from experiences, mentors, or the insights of those around us. Just as The Hermit’s reflections on life make him wiser, a designer’s retrospection, much like a team reflection meeting, is a crucial part of the growth process.

15 TEMPERANCE
Good designers balance desirability, feasibility, and usability.
Temperance symbolizes balance, moderation, and harmony, often depicted through an angel pouring water between two cups. This imagery captures the importance of finding a middle ground.
For designers, achieving balance is akin to considering desirability, feasibility, and usability. These elements serve as a valuable checklist, indicating the viability of new ideas. Much like the angel standing on both water and ground, Temperance encourages designers to navigate the elements of their projects, recognizing that a careful balance leads to success, similar to the crown at the end of the road.

THREE OF PENTACLES
Good designers embrace input from cross-functional teams.
The Three of Pentacles in the Tarot typically signifies collaboration and teamwork. The card depicts a young artisan working on something in a cathedral. He’s standing on a bench and looking back at the two men, a priest, and an architect, who are collaborating with him.
With my interdisciplinary background in design, marketing, and engineering, I truly understand the importance of embracing input from cross-functional teams. Just like the collaboration portrayed in the Three of Pentacles, a successful project or product requires the collective input of diverse talents. This includes artisans to build, a priest to provide support and direction, and an architect to design and ensure flawless execution. In the realm of project teams, diverse roles are equally essential for a smooth process. The team will be more effective if a designer has an understanding of engineering processes and technology platforms, especially the constraints they impose. It would also be beneficial if a designer could have a product mindset and care about how managers think about the product to communicate better with them. This involves the unique empathy a designer could bring to the table, understanding other disciplines’ positions in a team.

FIVE OF CUPS
Good designers do not fall in love with their own ideas. - Sheri Sheppard
The Five of Cups portrays a figure standing before three spilled cups, consumed by sorrow and unable to see the two upright cups behind them. The symbolism underscores themes of loss, and the potential for overlooking remaining positive aspects.
In my journey as a UX designer, Sheri Sheppard’s wisdom, “Good designers do not fall in love with their own ideas,” became a guiding principle. Acknowledging that not every design will be universally embraced, like the spilled cups, I learned the importance of turning around and embracing constructive feedback. Much like the figure in the card overlooks the two remaining cups, I recognized that there are always opportunities for improvement. The Five of Cups encourages designers, like myself, to shift perspectives, embrace feedback, and recognize that, even in the face of perceived setbacks, there are often untapped opportunities for growth. Just as the figure in the card might discover a new path leading to a castle if they turn around, designers can find renewed inspiration and success by staying open to evolving ideas and collaborative possibilities.
Let's get in touch!
Whether you want to share an interesting project, collaborate to create something people need, or simply say hello – I’m always happy to chat.