Early in the book, Monteiro talks about the idea that designers can’t hide behind the pretence of doing something as a job to excuse unethical design. The main point is that a monetary transaction does not surpass morality and that agreeing to do something unethical because “it’s your job” is just as bad if not worse than actively choosing to do it. I think this is a really important thing to consider as a new designer looking for opportunities, as while I want to gain experience, it’s not worth betraying my own morality for it.

Monteiro expands on this further when he talks about how what we design, whether by ourselves or something we’re told to do, is essentially our legacy and how we will be remembered. In the digital age, there’s no way to detect yourself as a person from the work you do, so working and agreeing to do unethical work, reflects on how you will be remembered. This results in the idea that “Good leaders should aspire to have their fingerprints all over hard decisions.” which is a quote I want to always keep in mind as it applies to so much in life, but also for myself as a designer as I feel it encourages the ethical consideration of design.