#andy rutledge

Thank you, Jamelle

The idea that says arbitrary diversity is better than the lack of diversity also says that your individual character, quality, morals, achievement, and dignity don’t matter. Only your skin color or gender matters. It says these racist and sexist ideals are the measure of what contributes to the quality of a group. But according to whom?!

Every employment of a designer is an investment that demands a positive and profitable return. Designers have an obligation to meet that demand in prepared fashion. The fact is many projects—most, I’d argue—require understanding, skills, standards, and obligations beyond what is typically assumed. The commodity design service industry ignores this fact.

You see, the uncompromising standards of design professionalism are highly constraining, expensive, and sometimes even off putting. Yet for the sake of our reputations and our clients’ fortunes they are our industry’s most essential traits. Therefore, the constraints of professionalism must be embraced and the costs paid. I submit to you that the design profession is an imperative. The lack of transparency regarding professional standards in the industry means that the entire Web design community is held responsible for the mistakes of individuals.

The Real Designer's Code of Conduct

Education is not something you’re given. It’s something that you take. You steal it.