I hope to delve deeper in ethics in design with a focus on technology and innovation. Analysing these topics through the three pillars of modern ethics as introduced by Cennydd Bowles in his book ‘Future Ethics’ and Morten Rand-Hendriksen’s ‘Four Corners Approach’. More specifically, this thesis aims to take an in-depth look at case studies of technology and innovation starting from the physical world, with Apple’s iPhones; and continuing to the digital with the data-mining software company, Palantir Technologies. Through these two case studies I plan to unpack the ethical complexities and moral dilemmas designers are confronted with within the industry (similar to that of my experiences in Cambodia), lessons learned and to propose possible actions for the future.

It was said to me once that “You are not your work. You are not your job.” I didn’t understand it at first but later figured out that I am not my work, because I am more than just my work. There is a lot more to what makes who you are and that is not usually defined by one single thing that you do. This is always a good reminder for myself as it helps me in the process of letting go. Letting go that I may not have all the design solutions. Letting go of harsh/trivial comments. As long it does not violate my values, morals and belief system — we’re good.

My Foolproof team and I had the opportunity to run a rapid ethnographic study with both consumer and business-owning WeChat users in Shanghai, China. We conducted both guerrilla research and in-depth interviews with a range of people from baby boomers to millennials to get a clear picture of WeChat e-commerce from all sides.

This thesis aims to take an in-depth look at past failures, such as project ‘One Laptop Per Child’ (OLPC), ‘PlayPumps’ and ‘TOMS Shoes’ as means of discerning the techniques and tactics in the field of humanitarian design and social innovation in the developing world. It will also question what one must take into account in order to cater to the needs of its target community.