To Act by Design is to do something with intention rather than by chance. My practice isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about consequence. Every action I take has an impact and every visual choice I make has a ripple effect that can influence how people perceive the world and how I operate as a business.
True creativity cannot exist alongside exploitation. Therefore, I operate Act by Design under a strict No-Harm Policy. I do not accept commissions from, nor will I partner with, any entity whose operations, supply chains, or products cause harm to animals, people, or the planet.
This is the core foundation of Act by Design.
Protection of Animals
I refuse to work with any client involved in:
Exploitative industries: Factory farming, fur, leather, wool, silk, or any industry that treats sentient beings as commodities.
Animal testing: Any product tested on animals incl for cosmetic, medical or industrial purposes.
Habitat Destruction: Projects that contribute to the displacement or extinction of wildlife.
Act by Design standard: I will focus on collaborations with brands that are cruelty free, vegan and actively advocate for animal rights.
Protection of People
I refuse to work with any client involved in:
Labour Exploitation: Sweatshops, child/forced labour, or any violation of fair wage standards.
Unsafe Conditions: Factories or any type of facility/workplace that endangers worker health and safety.
Discrimination: Organisations that foster systemic racism, sexism, ableism, or any other form of social injustice and oppression. This includes those that actively lobby for, fund, or promote policies that violate human rights, diversity or marginalise protected groups.
Arms & Conflict: The manufacture, sale, or distribution of weapons, military hardware, surveillance technology, or any infrastructure used in armed conflict.
Incarceration & Detention: Private prison operators, for-profit detention centres, immigration detention facilities, or any entity profiting from the mass incarceration of individuals.
Community Harm: Projects that displace communities or extract resources without consent or any type of fair compensation.
Act by Design standard: I prioritise collaborations with those who hold recognised certifications (Fair Trade, B-Corp, or Worker-Owned status) or can demonstrate tangible evidence of their commitment to human rights, social equity, diversity, restorative justice, and peace. I will be looking for proof that my partners are not involved in the arms trade, private incarceration, or the lobbying of policies that marginalise communities.
Protection of the Planet
I refuse to work with any client involved in:
Fossil Fuels: Oil, gas, coal, or any infrastructure that accelerates climate change.
Pollution & Waste: Single-use plastics, non-recyclable materials, or toxic chemical dumping.
Deforestation: Industries driving the destruction of rain forests and critical ecosystems.
Greenwashing: Companies that make false or misleading claims about their environmental impact.
Act by Design standard: I aim to work with organisations committed to regenerative practices, circular economies, and science-based climate targets.
How I Vet My Clients
Before accepting a project, I conduct a thorough review of potential clients:
Supply Chain & Operations: Transparency regarding sourcing, manufacturing, and labour conditions.
Third-Party Certifications: Valid credentials (e.g., B-Corp, Fair Trade, Leaping Bunny), verified by independent organisations.
Human Rights Records: Public records of labour disputes, involvement in defence contracting, private incarceration, or surveillance technology.
Political Activity: Corporate governance, political donations, and lobbying records regarding human rights, animal rights, environmental protection, and social justice.
If a client does not meet these criteria, I will respectfully decline the project regardless of the budget. I would rather have no clients than the wrong ones. If you fall outside these parameters, it simply means I am not the right designer for your project.
A Note on Transparency
I understand that perfection is a journey, not a destination. Act by Design itself still has areas that need improvement and I am working towards these as I navigate my first few years as a freelancer.
I am open to working with organisations that are actively transitioning toward these standards (particularly regarding environmental impact), provided they are transparent about their current gaps and have a verifiable, funded plan to close them.
However, there are non-negotiable lines. I will not work with clients whose core business model relies on harm—such as animal agriculture, weapons manufacturing, private incarceration, or systemic oppression—even if they claim to be transitioning. I will not work with those who deny the existence of harm or refuse to acknowledge their impact.
If you are a mission-driven leader, a nonprofit, a community organisation, a purpose-driven brand or a social enterprise ready to collaborate on a project that reflects your values, I would love to hear from you.
Let’s Act by Design and create something beautiful that does no harm.