Social Responsibility : To what extent should designers be held responsible for the effects of their work on society and consumer culture?

Social responsibility is becoming an increasingly important issue for many designers. The power of visual culture cannot be disputed, but should this be a concern for designers? This study explores this subject in detail, addressing the moral dilemmas that designers are often faced with and debating the significance of a designer's role within society. Commercial design and the morality of advertising is examined, as well as the relationship between personal and professional ethics. The concept of moral superiority and what is worthy of designers' talents is also considered, as well as the notion of design having the power to change the world, for better and for worse. The aim of this thesis is to determine who is ultimately responsible for the effects of design and advertising on society and consumer culture; the designer for producing the work, or the audience for letting it affect them?