Be the Villain

Content Warning – this presentation contains material that may be disturbing. Topics used to illustrate subversive design include domestic abuse, drug abuse, genocide, harassment, racism, stalking, school shooting and swatting.

Historically, design’s goal was to make things as easy to use for as many people as possible. However, as software matures and takes over more aspects of everyday life, designers must learn to be less naive. In flipping the inclusive design principles, we are able to become the villain and better understand and guard against bad actors who subvert design for their own malign purposes.

Learning outcomes

• Understand that design can be subverted to internationally create harm
• Know that this practice is actively happening
• Develop a mental framework for how to think about preventing design subversion
• Gain strategies for dealing with it in a professional context, where people may be opposed to the idea