The Ethics of Presenting Concept Design Work as Real Projects
By
Tom May
2mo ago· 7 min readenInsight
100/100
Golden Brown
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The kind of bagel that ruins lesser bagels for you.
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Summary
The article explores the ethical dilemma in the design industry when designers present conceptual work as if it were real client projects. It discusses how some designers create elaborate concept portfolios without actual clients, briefs, or real-world constraints, which can mislead potential employers and clients. The piece examines the professional and ethical implications of this practice, including how it affects client trust, hiring decisions, and the integrity of the design profession.
Key quotes
· 5 pulledRather than engaging with the work itself, they raised a more uncomfortable question: was any of it real?
Two of his own clients had recently commissioned designers based on portfolios that turned out to be almost entirely conceptual.
No clients. No briefs. No printer negotiations, trademark searches or budget constraints. Just beautiful work.
This wasn't just an academic curiosity, but a personal issue.
When a reader flagged concerns about concept work, it opened a debate that often goes under the radar in the design profession.
When a reader flagged concerns about concept work, it opened a debate that often goes under the radar in the design profession.
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