Digital Leadership

“If you think design is neutral, you haven’t understood what design does.”

– Mike Monteiro, Designer & Aktivist

2025 – The world is at a tipping point. Democratic values are faltering. The climate crisis is escalating. Right-wing narratives are moving into the mainstream. And in many agencies, people still prefer to talk about “brand aesthetics” rather than responsibility.

But aesthetics aren’t enough. Not anymore. Not now.

We believe: If you design today, you’re making decisions. And every decision is political – whether you like it or not.

Design is never just surface. It is infrastructure. Accessibility. Visibility. Power.

Anyone developing digital products today is deciding

• who gets to participate (e.g. people with disabilities),
• which values are amplified or suppressed,
• which identities are made visible – and which are systematically excluded.

If your website isn’t accessible, that’s not a mistake – it’s a statement.
If you work for companies that actively oppose climate action or equality, that’s not a “business decision.”

It’s a contribution to the reinforcement of the status quo.

In one of her talks, Kat Zhou emphasizes that responsibility doesn’t end with intention – it begins with impact. Those who design digital products are accountable for their social consequences – whether intended or not.

A similar argument is made by Meg Blake (ThoughtWorks), who states in her talk Designing Responsibility During Rapid Technological Change:

“Designers and technologists must take responsibility for intentionally embedding their values into the design process – and for observing and sharing the consequences of their work throughout its entire lifecycle.”

She points to real-world incidents – such as data breaches in the healthcare sector – and makes it clear:
Every technical decision has tangible social consequences.

Do we always get it right? Probably not. But our direction matters.

We believe that taking a stand doesn’t mean knowing everything – it means taking responsibility. For what we create. For the stories we amplify. For the systems we help build.

We learn. We question. We show up – even when it’s uncomfortable.

🧊 We work with brands that want more than profit – and are willing to take risks to get there.
🧊 We design inclusively, climate-consciously, and intentionally – not because it’s trendy, but because it’s necessary.
🧊 We say no to projects that go against our values.
🧊 And we say yes when things get uncomfortable – because that’s where change begins.

We believe: Principles beat hype. Every time.

Design and technology are never neutral – they influence who gets to participate, which voices are heard, and which systems we reinforce. In a time of political, social, and ecological crises, aesthetics are no longer enough.

Digital creators carry responsibility – whether they want to or not. Anyone developing products today is making political decisions. Taking a stand means consciously embracing that responsibility.

Agencies like ours actively choose inclusive, climate-conscious, and values-driven design – even when it’s uncomfortable. Because indifference changes nothing. Taking a stand does.

Design that aims to please but says nothing is decoration. Brands that want to please everyone stand for nothing. And anyone who stays neutral today is choosing the status quo.

If you want your brand to not only look good – but make a difference – let’s talk.

🧊 We design with a point of view. For brands with backbone.