Although we have all heard these things before, it is simple to forget some of the fundamentals in the hustle and bustle of a busy design business, such as professional ethics and standards. We should always operate ethically and professionally as working designers.
You won’t always be able to win over everyone, though. Even if you follow the strict rules, you will probably encounter disagreement and frustration in addition to satisfying and thrill. So be aware of the main ethical issues that may affect your interactions with customers, suppliers, and other professionals. Having a good reputation is difficult to achieve and simple to lose, therefore constantly remember the following:
- Be completely transparent with your clients about the job’s scope and price. Don’t, for instance, tell a client that you will only them a little fee if you plan to sell them furniture at retail and make a 50% profit.
- Always act in your clients’ best interests, ensuring their security and, when practical, opting for healthy, environmentally responsible alternatives. Abide by all laws, ordinances, and rules.
- Don’t alter the caliber, quantity, or materials to raise your price. When a project goes over budget, this temptation is the strongest. It is not recommended to alter the caliber of the components in quotes, proposals or specify excessively pricey things just to raise one’s whole commission.
- Always protect the privacy and confidentiality of your clients. Never discuss your client’s budget with suppliers or other hired help.
- Treat your suppliers and other experts with honesty and integrity. Never assign responsibility to someone else for delays or issues that you yourself caused due to mistakes or a lack of timeliness.
- Consistently fulfil your financial commitments. Keep track of all financial transactions.
Following these recommendations will not only keep your mind free so that you can concentrate on producing high-quality design work, but it will also result in many recommendations from pleased clients.