Plato's Ethics Of Graphic Warnings

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Plato’s ethics focus on how to achieve a goal of happiness of the people affected. Plato’s ethics focus on the general happiness of others. When it is established that ethical decisions deal with everyone’s happiness, the decisions carry more weight. Plato’s ethical theory presents the idea of “happiness or well being is the highest aim of moral thought and conduct” (Dorothea Frede). In the graphic design field, a designer is labeled ethical or unethical based on their products or designs. Discerning where a designer stands on an ethical spectrum can be difficult considering some controversial designs can create happiness in some while cause harm to another. In addition, ethics draw from “people's interests” (John-Stewart Gordon). Plato’s ethics …show more content…

Graphic warnings influence people through visuals and text that steer a person's view in a direction desired by the designer. Graphic Warnings are similar to food labels in that they are convincing and both fall under the category of advertisement. A study showed that cigarette warning labels “lower[ed] the intention to smoke in young adults with a moderate lifetime smoking history”(Effects of Graphic Cigarette Warnings on Smoking Intentions in Young Adults). Additionally, the studied displayed the impact of the ad on people with a variety of smoking history and age. This study proves relevant because it shows that Graphic Warnings always influence the people that see them to some degree. In the food labeling industry this suggests the labels on our food matter. Food labels now have the power to influence how people use a food. In another situation, Graphic Warnings placed in a lunch room “decreased the proportion of sugary drinks purchased”(The Effect of Graphic Warnings on Sugary Drink Purchasing). Graphic Warnings yet again impact how people act after they view the warning. If a person sees a graphic warning they will react differently to the topic of the warning sometimes not even consciously. The Graphic Warnings have the power to enact change in a person’s mind without the person realizing. Food Labels are a form of graphic warning; they display facts about the food they represent. For this reason, graphic designers need vigilance in their design because any move can change the future products use or perception. Food Labels influence the consumer’s perception of the

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