Too long, do not read.
It’s a common feeling to see a long piece of text and think “too long, do not read.” However, I’d like to invite you to read on and learn a little bit more about me.
I’m a Lead Service and Interaction designer with 25 years of experience. My passion for design started at an early age, and I’ve been fortunate to turn it into a successful career. For the last 12 years, I have been designing for UK government departments, using the GDS service standard and serving as a design assessor.
One of my favorite tools for designing is Figma. It is an excellent tool for designing user interfaces quickly. Figma allows me to collaborate easily with other designers and put ideas on a visual board. I like how Figma makes it easy to ideate and bring everyone to the table.
However, despite my love for Figma, I still prefer designing in code. There’s something satisfying about seeing your design come to life as you code it. I like the flexibility that coding provides, and it allows me to make changes and tweaks on the fly. When I design in code, I feel more connected to the product, and it helps me understand how the design will work in the real world. Furthermore, designing in code allows for realistic prototyping and usability testing. Design is not just about how things look, but rather how they work. Probably, paraphrasing Steve Jobs there.
When it comes to design methodologies, I believe in using known methodologies to create good services. I often draw inspiration from the GDS design blog, which has some fantastic articles on design thinking. One of my favorite articles on the blog is “Designing with Data,” which highlights the importance of using data to inform design decisions. I find this approach particularly useful when designing for government departments because the data is often readily available. My favourite design book is The design of everyday things. by Don Norman. It is great book. Natural mappings and affordances.
Another article that has influenced my way of design thinking is “Making a service that’s easy to use.” This article emphasizes the importance of designing for users, rather than the system. I believe that this is particularly important when designing for government departments because the services they provide can often be complex and confusing. By designing with the user in mind, we can create services that are easy to use and understand.
I also believe in the power of collaboration when it comes to design. By working closely with developers, user researchers, and other stakeholders, we can create better services that meet the needs of our users. I believe that design is not just about creating beautiful interfaces; it’s about solving problems and making people’s lives easier. Having said that, at the same time I hate meetings, meetings can become toxic, drain your time and amount to nothing. I believe in asynchronous, intentional and well thought of collaboration.
As a design assessor for the GDS service standard, I have had the opportunity to assess many different services. The GDS service standard is a set of criteria that government services must meet to be considered “good.” As an assessor, I evaluate services based on these criteria and provide feedback to the teams responsible for designing and developing them.
Being a design assessor has given me a unique perspective on the design process. I have seen firsthand the impact that good design can have on a service and its users. It has also allowed me to keep up to date with the latest trends and best practices in design.
In conclusion, with a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by large teams of Service and Interaction designers in the UK government and a strong track record of employing effective collaboration strategies, I believe I am well-suited to contribute to the design delivery across multiple teams in the program, shape product strategy and delivery, and ensure our work aligns with wider organizational design principles, objectives, and strategic priorities.