Over the years, I’ve written and spoken extensively about my belief that design has the power to change the world. I find daily inspiration in the many individuals and organizations leaning away from design as pure aesthetics and embracing design as a powerful tool for promoting the wellbeing of both people and the planet.

I refer to wellbeing as holistic health. It includes holistic health of the people: end users—those using the products, and makers—suppliers, producers, and manufacturers. Also, of the planet, because no design is isolated; it is always dependent on and embedded in systems. Our choices have far-reaching impact. Upstream decisions about a design’s materials, energy, and water requirements for manufacturing and operations, and end of life, for example, matter as much as the final form or user interface. For a design to truly promote wellbeing, all aspects across supply chain and user behavior must consider the physical, psychological, and environmental wellbeing of all stakeholders—people and planet alike.

We are at a critical moment in human history, and organizations must go beyond business as usual to design products and systems that are deeply, truly ethical. In my work over three decades, I’ve spoken continuously about this with leading voices in business, science, technology, innovation, and design who are championing this shift toward responsibility and integrity. Here, I want to share some of the insights I’ve gained on how design can actively support wellbeing—maintaining beauty, while also promoting justice.

In season 7, episode 10 of my podcast, FUTURE OF XYZ, I hosted Suchi Reddy, founder of Reddymade, an architecture, design, and public art studio based in New York City. We........

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