Short answer

Designers should identify and utilize subtle, persistent tactics to advocate for ethical and social values within their design projects and organizational contexts.

Field
User-Centred Design
Source
Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction (2021)
Method
Qualitative research involving interviews and observations.
Evidence
Moderate effect

User experience professionals can leverage subtle, indirect strategies to influence organizational values and integrate them into product development, even within dominant industry frameworks. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2021 study published in Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction. Using Qualitative research involving interviews and observations., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should identify and utilize subtle, persistent tactics to advocate for ethical and social values within their design projects and organizational contexts.

Study
User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

UX Professionals Employ 'Soft Resistance' to Embed Values into Tech Products

User experience professionals can leverage subtle, indirect strategies to influence organizational values and integrate them into product development, even within dominant industry frameworks.

Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction · 2021

01

Key Findings

  • 01UX professionals use tactics to create space for values discussions within their organizations.
  • 02They work to make organizational and product values visible and relevant to other departments.
  • 03UX professionals attempt to modify organizational processes to better incorporate values considerations.
  • 04These 'soft resistance' tactics often operate within existing industry discourses but can still drive change.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Designers should identify and utilize subtle, persistent tactics to advocate for ethical and social values within their design projects and organizational contexts.

How to apply

When encountering resistance to values-based design, consider framing your arguments in terms of existing business goals or industry best practices, and seek opportunities to make the impact of values visible to stakeholders.

Project actions

  • 01Consider how you can subtly introduce ethical considerations into your design process.
  • 02Think about how to make the 'why' behind your design choices clear to others, even if they don't initially agree.
03

Method & Evidence

AimHow do user experience professionals utilize subtle tactics to influence organizational values and integrate them into the design and development of technology products?
MethodQualitative research involving interviews and observations.
ProcedureResearchers conducted interviews with UX professionals in large US tech companies and observed interactions at UX meetups to identify strategies used to promote values-based design.
ContextTechnology industry, user experience design practice.

Variables

IVTactics of soft resistance employed by UX professionals.
DVIntegration of social values into technology products and organizational processes.
CVOrganizational culture, industry norms, company size.
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Provides insight into practical strategies for values-based design in industry.
  • +Acknowledges the complexities of influencing organizational change.

Limitations

The tactics described are 'soft' and may not be sufficient for addressing deeply entrenched unethical practices.

Reliability & validity

The findings are based on qualitative data, which may be subject to researcher interpretation. Triangulation through multiple data sources (interviews and observations) enhances validity.

Think critically

To what extent can 'soft resistance' truly lead to fundamental shifts in corporate values, or does it primarily serve to maintain the status quo with minor adjustments?

05

Design Principles

"Integrate ethical and social values into design practice through persistent, context-aware influence rather than direct confrontation."

This research highlights that advocating for ethical and social values in design doesn't always require overt confrontation. Understanding these 'soft resistance' tactics can empower design teams to navigate corporate structures and foster more responsible innovation.

06

What This Means for Your Design

UX designers can push for companies to be more ethical and responsible by using clever, indirect methods rather than demanding big changes all at once.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use this research to justify your approach to incorporating ethical considerations into your design project.
  • 2.Discuss how you navigated potential organizational resistance to your design choices.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This study by Wong (2021) highlights that user experience professionals often employ 'soft resistance' tactics to embed values into their work and products. These strategies, which include creating space for values discussions and making values visible to stakeholders, demonstrate how designers can influence organizational practices and product development even within dominant industry logics, suggesting a nuanced approach to advocating for ethical design.

09

Source

Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction

Tactics of Soft Resistance in User Experience Professionals' Values Work

journal · 2021

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about ux professionals employ 'soft resistance' to embed values into tech products?
Designers should identify and utilize subtle, persistent tactics to advocate for ethical and social values within their design projects and organizational contexts. Evidence: Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction (2021).
Why does "UX Professionals Employ 'Soft Resistance' to Embed Values into Tech Products" matter for design?
This research highlights that advocating for ethical and social values in design doesn't always require overt confrontation. Understanding these 'soft resistance' tactics can empower design teams to navigate corporate structures and foster more responsible innovation.
How can designers apply this research?
Designers should identify and utilize subtle, persistent tactics to advocate for ethical and social values within their design projects and organizational contexts.
What were the main findings?
UX professionals use tactics to create space for values discussions within their organizations.. They work to make organizational and product values visible and relevant to other departments.. UX professionals attempt to modify organizational processes to better incorporate values considerations.. These 'soft resistance' tactics often operate within existing industry discourses but can still drive change.
What research method was used?
Qualitative research involving interviews and observations..
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2021 journal from Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When encountering resistance to values-based design, consider framing your arguments in terms of existing business goals or industry best practices, and seek opportunities to make the impact of values visible to stakeholders.
What are the limitations?
The effectiveness of these tactics may be highly dependent on the specific organizational culture and industry context.