From Grassroots to Government – learning from Ireland’s journey towards design for Better Public Services
Role: Founder and Director of Context Studio
Dublin, Ireland
For some years now, Ireland’s government has set out on a path towards designing better public services with a human centered approach. In 2022, at the first “Design in Government” conference to be held in Ireland, the theme was “Impact for All”. The event included contributions from than three government ministers, and the launch of prototype “Design Principles for Government in Ireland”.
This was followed in 2023 with the launch by government of “An Action Plan for Designing Better Public Services”. This Action Plan commits to integrating design within public service bodies, developing skills and learning resources for design in public service, and the promotion and encouragement of design with a human centered approach.
But Ireland might never have gotten this far were it not for the grassroots design communities and advocates who have helped put design on the agenda.
Ireland is home to several voluntary design communities, including Service Design Ireland (formerly Service Design Network Ireland), IxDA Dublin, Dublin UX, Ladies that UX, and many others. These communities and advocates have for perhaps a decade or more been working to develop design practice and demonstrate the impact that design can have, through events, meet-ups, conferences, workshops and more.
Making Connections
Around 2018, connections began to be made with government initiatives. Designers – in particular volunteers with Service Design Network Ireland – began to make the case for the development of design skills within the economy, but also for the use of design in government and public service.
Several events were held and many, many cups of coffee helped to bring together design-inclined people from across diverse public services such as justice, healthcare, local government, and more.
In late 2021, after the global pandemic placed more pressure on governments around the world, Service Design Network Ireland produced a short paper which summed up the potential for design to have significant positive impact on Irish public services.
This document pointed to international evidence and clearly explained the potential for design to create significant impact while also saving valuable resources in services at scale. It made the case for design skills in government departments and services, and underlined 8 potential actions that government might take to help get things started.
Getting “Official”
These efforts got the attention of some important organizations, not least the Institute of Designers in Ireland, which is the longest established membership organisation for Irish design professionals. Through their advocacy and support it reached government, and in 2022 the government’s Creative Ireland programme supported the first ever “Design in Government” conference in Ireland. This event included the publication of public sector design principles by the government Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
A year later, government launched an Action Plan for Designing Better Public Services which is now underway – to embrace and embed human centered design in the way public services are delivered and transformed.
Advocating for Humanity-Centered Design in Public Services
It is vital that services we rely upon are designed to meet the needs of people and the planet. In many countries the power of humanity-centered design is still misunderstood by, or even unknown to public officials. What can Ireland’s recent journey offer by way of things to remember when advocating for humanity-centered design in public services and government?
Connect the Dots
It’s important to connect networks of advocates, designers, government workers, educators and more – all of whom understand the impact that design can bring. This might mean individual cups of coffee, or it might mean scouring social media for like-minded people – probably both!
Events featuring relevant presentations and case studies can both help shine a light on best practices for design in government, but also to bring together those who are – sometimes individually – trying to apply the practice in a public service context.
Another useful tool is writing. Posting and sharing articles relevant to public service and design can help reach and connect with like-minded advocates.
Show up!
As an advocate, it can be difficult to get in front of the right people, but it’s impossible if you don’t show up! This means finding events that might already be happening – perhaps around skills, innovation, or business. Where are you likely to find officials who might listen to the case for human-centered design?
These “design adjacent” spaces can help with “connecting the dots” but also offer a great way for the design advocate to listen, learn, and understand the needs of public services – and to suggest ways that a design approach might help.
Showing up in new contexts like these also offers a great opportunity to practice communicating the value of design, something that is consistently required of any advocate.
Stand on the Shoulders of Giants
It can be intimidating – looking at something as big and bureaucratic as government and wondering “where do I start?”. The likelihood is that others have tried before you… through your network, get to know the history in your local context.
In Ireland, before the story told above, there were many who formed groups, tried starting businesses, ran design initiatives for the public service and in government. These previous efforts provided inspiration and learning for later work.
This is true globally also – there are lots of global networks of designers, including some excellent conferences and events, focusing on design for better public outcomes in government and in public service.
Understanding precedent, both at home and abroad, might mean you can lean on the expertise of others. In Ireland that meant uniting experienced people locally, and bringing experts from overseas to speak about design, building legitimacy for the practice.
Make it Irresistible!
Be human centered in the way you approach your advocacy. Identify the needs of the people or organizations you are advocating to – write, speak, and demonstrate how design can meet those needs.
In some instances, it might be about efficiency – design can be a very powerful tool for understanding human factors, building systemic efficiency, while preserving positive public outcomes.
For some governments, trust is key. This was especially important during the global pandemic. Design, through co-design practices, is a great way to build trust, while well designed public services help to maintain that trust.
As you embark on your advocacy journey remember that, like any other institution, government is a living, changing thing, and listen out for policy objectives, government initiatives, strategic goals and more. Linking these to the humanity centered design approach is a great way to make it not just relevant, but irresistible!
Founder and Director of Context Studio
