Interning at Morning Glory Markets, I find myself grappling with a newfound awareness of ethical guidelines in design, particularly regarding image sourcing and intellectual property rights, as outlined by the AIGA guide. Reflecting on my past practices and the insights gleaned from the articles, I realize the imperative of acknowledging original creators and adhering to ethical standards in design.
I must confess to using a careless approach to giving credit to image sources in past creative attempts. I worked on the presumption that using publicly available photos that did not make readily apparent ownership claims was sufficient. But my viewpoint has changed dramatically. I now understand how important it is to give credit where credit is due, not just out of respect for the original artists but also to stay out of trouble with the law. From now on, I aim to correct this error by carefully citing the sources of the images in my work presentations.
It was vividly brought to light by the Fairey Copyright lawsuit just how complicated intellectual property rights can be. Even though Shepard Fairey had good intentions, his unlawful use of images protected by copyright serves as a harsh reminder of the moral and legal repercussions of such conduct. The seriousness of the problem is highlighted by his later attempts to alter the photos in order to avoid being discovered. The Associated Press’s indulgence underscores the discrepancy in handling, underscoring the significance of ethical design principles for ethical behavior and self-defense.
I am informed of the ethical issues around image sourcing and intellectual property as I undertake this internship. Although I did not sign a non-disclosure agreement, my experience with Morning Glory Markets’ logo elucidates the significance of clear attribution and branding. The logo’s explicit display of the organization’s name ensures transparency and accountability, aligning with ethical design principles.
To sum up, I continue my internship with a renewed commitment to ethical design principles. To prevent unintentional appropriation, I pledge to follow ethical principles, respect intellectual property laws, and give due acknowledgment to the original sources of images. I want to become a more responsible and moral designer by always thinking about and acting upon ethical concepts.
