How many ads have you designed? How many products have you helped launched? Have you ever designed an end? Does it matter?

We design rich, emotional and meaningful experiences to on-board the consumer with persuasive advertising and marketing. In contrast, the off-boarding of a consumer experience is barren of emotion and meaning. This sacrifices consumer action, holds back engagement; limiting reflection and responsibility.

Long-term side effects of this can be seen in the product, service and digital landscapes. Consequences can include climate impact, industries fined billions for mis-selling and individuals eroding their online reputations.

AIGA NY, in partnership with, Arup invites interdisciplinary designer/collaborator and founder of AndEnd, Joe Macleod, to talk about why it’s vital to start designing endings in consumer experiences and why starting the world’s first customer ending business is not as crazy as it sounds.

Are you as intrigued as we are? Please join us Thursday, October 11 as Joe lays down a common philosophy for improving the ills of consumer culture.

Joe Macleod has decades of product development experience across digital, physical and service sectors and was previously Head of Design at the award-winning studio Ustwo. Now he works on the Ends project researching endings, speaking, consulting, and writing about this important issue. Most recently he published the book Ends, which captures the historical, societal context that has led to the problems we have with consumer endings.