For designers, Ruined by Design publisher Mule Book issues both a challenge and a warning: this book might (and should) make you angry. Beginning by stressing the ubiquitous nature of design in our modern society (design is, indeed, everywhere), this book goes on to live up to its contentious subtitle “How Designers Destroyed the World, and What We Can Do to Fix It.”

An experienced designer and the author of a half dozen books, Mike Monteiro discusses the incredible power that his chosen field possesses to influence the world at large. And, in the famous words of Uncle Ben, “with great power comes great responsibility.”

Citing examples such as advertising campaigns for cigarettes, Monteiro rightfully points out that design is “a craft with a lot of blood on its hands.” However, Ruined by Design is far from fatalist, offering what diversity and inclusion champion Sacha Judd calls a “challenging framework for change.”