“It is far more valuable to earn people’s respect than to occasionally gain their admiration.” (Rousseau) What does ‘respect’ mean in visual communication? How do we engage with users and clients? When is design truly user-oriented—and when does it become self-indulgent? And how does our personal attitude shape the value we place on our own work? Respectus means consideration—a core principle of civic coexistence. Yet in times of unpaid pitches and fierce competition, we must ask ourselves: How respectful are we within our own field?

We invited Ralph Schraivogel, Heinrich Paravicini, Lutz Issler, Catalogtree, Wigger Bierma, Walter Nikkels, Cybu Richli and Fabienne Burri to share their perspectives on attitude and respect in everyday design practice.