The Designer’s Guide to Saving the World

As designers, many of us entered this field to make people’s lives easier, better, and more fun. But in a world facing crises, is that enough?

Democracies are slowly turning into autocracies as polarization and weaponized social media deepen divides. Economic inequalities are worsening as wealth gaps grow. The climate crisis remains dangerously under-prioritized. Gang-related crime rates and homelessness. Wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Adding to this, misinformation makes it increasingly hard to discern truth from lies, eroding trust in institutions.

It’s easy to feel powerless. But if we want real change, voting every couple of years isn’t enough. As designers, we can move beyond creating smoother online shopping experiences. Maybe it’s time to actively shape the society and systems we want to live in.

Here’s how you can start:

1. Allocate Time for Change. Time is precious, but it’s also something we all have in some measure. Dedicate a few hours a month to causes that matter to you. Whether attending local meetings, volunteering, or researching solutions, your investment can drive real progress. Change doesn’t demand perfection—just consistency.
2. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone. Real impact begins with empathy. Seek out people with different backgrounds and views, not just online but in real life. If you’ve ever done user research, apply those same listening skills—focus on understanding, not persuading.
3. Stay Informed and Support Quality Journalism. A nuanced worldview starts with reliable information. Diversify your news sources and pay for quality journalism to help reduce their dependence on click-driven ad revenue. Balanced input not only broadens your understanding but helps you identify misinformation.
4. Support NGOs That Align with Your Values. If the climate crisis worries you, consider supporting organizations like Greenpeace or the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (if you’re in Sweden). If democracy, human rights, or social justice is your focus, join groups such as Amnesty International, or the Civil Rights Defenders, or local advocacy groups in your area. Small, regular contributions can have a big impact.
5. Get Politically Active. Democracy only works if we engage with it. Beyond voting, consider joining a political party or a movement that aligns with your values. Help shape campaigns, design materials, or contribute to policy discussions. Yes, it can be uncomfortable—politics often divides, and you’ll never find a party where you agree with everything—but progress requires active participation.

I’ve cut back on Netflix and social media. I have a fairly diverse group of friends, and I continuously try to meet new people from other backgrounds. I subscribe to several Swedish newspapers and The Guardian, and follow podcasters and bloggers from various sectors and world views. I’m a monthly supporter of all of the mentioned NGOs and a few others. And, I recently joined a political party that aligns closely with my values. Here I’m just dipping my toes, but who knows where it might lead?

All of the above are things that most people can do, but if you work in design, tech, or any related field, you can also consider a career change. The problem-solving, empathy, and user-centered thinking you use daily are exactly what’s needed to address complex societal challenges. Areas like policy design, public service innovation, and civic tech require your competence to create more human-centered systems that benefit everyone. From improving healthcare delivery to building tools for civic engagement, your skills can make a meaningful difference.

I might be mistaken, but I’ve recently noticed more designers moving into public-sector roles. People like, e.g., Karin Lycke , Julia Mattelin , Jenny Johansson , and Sara Tunheden , are using their skills to help governments, regions, and municipalities improve people’s everyday lives. No pressure, but this makes me hopeful. Maybe this is the start of something bigger?

The challenges we face may feel overwhelming, but meaningful change begins with small, deliberate steps. Dedicate time. Step outside your comfort zone. Stay informed. Support impactful organizations. Get involved in political movements. And if you want, channel your expertise to where it’s needed the most: Move beyond designing products and find a place where you can help shape policies and partnerships that, with intention and focus, can drive real societal transformation.

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Me? I am a designer turned entrepreneur, investor, and advisor. I’m the CEO of Ambition , where we help organizations enhance their design, UX, and CX capabilities through consulting, recruitment, and our continuous training program, Ambition Empower. I’m also on the board of Touchtech , a SaaS platform that frees salespeople from tedious tasks, allowing them more time with customers, as well as Vizcon AB , where we enhance customer satisfaction and profitability for construction companies, merchants, and suppliers through the platform Bygghub.

In 2002, I co-authored the book “Anv?ndbarhet i Praktiken” (Usability in Practice) and co-founded inUse, which grew to become one of the most influential Business, Service, and UX design agencies in Scandinavia with 100+ amazing designers and strategists. Later, I co-founded From Business to Buttons, one of Europe’s leading UX and Service Design conferences, attracting over 1000 participants at its peak. To leverage the reach and power of a larger corporation, we sold inUse, including the conference, in 2017.

Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you. Happy to connect if you want.