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This thesis is a meta reflection on the communications design discipline, critically examining the value of its applications to humans at micro and macro levels. It is a self-referential analysis addressing contributions, ethical considerations, dualities, and contradictions that exist in the discipline. When reflecting on the realities of the contemporary world as whole, such as the meager living conditions of Syrian refugees fleeing civil war; lead-contaminated water affecting residents of the city of Flint, Michigan; pedestrian death rates; and the prevalence of mass shootings in the United States, one has to contemplate the investment of resources put into visual design that could be put towards other pursuits. This study incorporated multiple individuals’ perspectives through a methodology of conducting personal interviews and reviewing related perspectives in published literature. Conclusions made regarding the value of communications design work include: its contribution of providing order, clarity, creation of an experience, and expression of the human condition. Ultimate objectives of the thesis include contributing critical thought to practices of the discipline and garnering insight for producing meaningful communications design work.