Guiding Principles for Inclusive Design Values: Reimagining Design Practice and Education - Aligned with the AIGA DEC Value Design Education Pledge

A practical, values-driven guide to inclusive design.

How can designers meaningfully contribute to a more just and equitable world? Guiding Principles for Inclusive Design Values answers this question with clarity, urgency, and actionable guidance. Structured around the six official commitments of the AIGA Design Educators Community Value Design Education Pledge, this book offers designers and educators a thoughtful framework for integrating inclusion, equity, and justice into every stage of their creative process.

Each chapter centers on one of the six core values—anti-racism, historical awareness, knowledge-sharing, impact, community, and wellbeing—and features contributors from across the design world. These diverse voices share tools, real-world case studies, and provocative prompts that invite reflection and inspire action. This book is a hands-on resource for individual creatives, design educators, and teams who want to align their design practice with their values.

Inside, readers will find:

• Six chapters based on AIGA’s official values commitments, each offering actionable insights
• Contributions from respected designers and educators, each bringing a unique perspective and experience
• Case studies and real-world applications that show inclusive design in action
• Guidance for teams and studios looking to integrate values into hiring, collaboration, and client work
• A practical framework for inclusive creativity, rooted in the real challenges of contemporary design

Perfect for designers at any career stage, Inclusive Design Values is a call to rethink how and why we create. It’s a must-have for anyone committed to using design as a force for change.