October 17, 2025 at 8:41 PM
“The poorest people have the richest bureaucracy”
—Marianne van den Anker, Ombudswoman of the Region of Rotterdam at #UserNeedsFirst #GovDesign conference
—Marianne van den Anker, Ombudswoman of the Region of Rotterdam at #UserNeedsFirst #GovDesign conference
April 10, 2025 at 8:34 AM
“The poorest people have the richest bureaucracy”
—Marianne van den Anker, Ombudswoman of the Region of Rotterdam at #UserNeedsFirst #GovDesign conference
—Marianne van den Anker, Ombudswoman of the Region of Rotterdam at #UserNeedsFirst #GovDesign conference
Vicky’s passing is such a massive loss for the global #GovDesign community.
Vicky was the most generous sharer of knowledge and experience I can think of.
For me, she embodied working-in-the-open culture. And supported people wherever she could.
She lived her life giving.
Thank you, Vicky!
Vicky was the most generous sharer of knowledge and experience I can think of.
For me, she embodied working-in-the-open culture. And supported people wherever she could.
She lived her life giving.
Thank you, Vicky!
Devastated by the sudden loss and passing of our dear friend Vicky. She was a kind, thoughtful and all round amazing person. So much integrity and sincerity
Thinking of you Vicky ❤️
@vickytnz.bsky.social
Thinking of you Vicky ❤️
@vickytnz.bsky.social
January 12, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Vicky’s passing is such a massive loss for the global #GovDesign community.
Vicky was the most generous sharer of knowledge and experience I can think of.
For me, she embodied working-in-the-open culture. And supported people wherever she could.
She lived her life giving.
Thank you, Vicky!
Vicky was the most generous sharer of knowledge and experience I can think of.
For me, she embodied working-in-the-open culture. And supported people wherever she could.
She lived her life giving.
Thank you, Vicky!
Getting ready to start a contract with MoJ (Justice Digital) on Monday! Looking forward to rejoining the #govdesign community and working with brilliant folks 🤓
August 30, 2024 at 10:11 AM
Getting ready to start a contract with MoJ (Justice Digital) on Monday! Looking forward to rejoining the #govdesign community and working with brilliant folks 🤓
Once again surprised at how well #RSS just works, providing updates to sites thought long abandoned. 🙂
Today's surprise update, the first post to the #GovDesign blog since ~2023.
govdesign.tumblr.com/post/7783635...
Today's surprise update, the first post to the #GovDesign blog since ~2023.
govdesign.tumblr.com/post/7783635...
#govdesign
Download the posters: GDS Product Posters
Read more here about the digital centre of Government.
govdesign.tumblr.com
March 19, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Once again surprised at how well #RSS just works, providing updates to sites thought long abandoned. 🙂
Today's surprise update, the first post to the #GovDesign blog since ~2023.
govdesign.tumblr.com/post/7783635...
Today's surprise update, the first post to the #GovDesign blog since ~2023.
govdesign.tumblr.com/post/7783635...
Just published some posters that we did for the recent GDS launch, showing the bulk of our product offering govdesign.tumblr.com/post/7783635...
#govdesign
Download the posters: GDS Product Posters
Read more here about the digital centre of Government.
govdesign.tumblr.com
March 18, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Just published some posters that we did for the recent GDS launch, showing the bulk of our product offering govdesign.tumblr.com/post/7783635...
#18F site wiped from internet. Some parts have been saved & reposted.
Dug Falby has the Methods pages goodlookslikethis.com/guides.18f.g... #GovDesign #ServiceDesign
Dug Falby has the Methods pages goodlookslikethis.com/guides.18f.g... #GovDesign #ServiceDesign
methods homepage | 18F Methods
goodlookslikethis.com
March 2, 2025 at 3:05 PM
#18F site wiped from internet. Some parts have been saved & reposted.
Dug Falby has the Methods pages goodlookslikethis.com/guides.18f.g... #GovDesign #ServiceDesign
Dug Falby has the Methods pages goodlookslikethis.com/guides.18f.g... #GovDesign #ServiceDesign
We (GDS) have today updated 4 points of the Service Standard around use of generative AI in services:
www.gov.uk/service-manu...
#govdesign 1/5
www.gov.uk/service-manu...
#govdesign 1/5
Service Standard
The Service Standard helps teams to create and run great public services.
www.gov.uk
January 29, 2026 at 2:43 PM
We (GDS) have today updated 4 points of the Service Standard around use of generative AI in services:
www.gov.uk/service-manu...
#govdesign 1/5
www.gov.uk/service-manu...
#govdesign 1/5
Never been at a conference with hugging points before #govdesign
October 1, 2024 at 7:37 AM
Never been at a conference with hugging points before #govdesign
Here is what can happen when we design with and around the people who use and look after government services
Note the considerations of maintenance costs
#GovDesign
Note the considerations of maintenance costs
#GovDesign
More of this please.
Co-designing play spaces with children and young people near their homes led to “what researchers say is the highest increase in children’s physical activity ever recorded by an intervention of its kind”
Co-designing play spaces with children and young people near their homes led to “what researchers say is the highest increase in children’s physical activity ever recorded by an intervention of its kind”
Bradford project produces ‘outstanding’ rise in children’s physical activity
JU:MP programme included co-design of play spaces, exercise in faith settings and interventions in schools
www.theguardian.com
May 23, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Here is what can happen when we design with and around the people who use and look after government services
Note the considerations of maintenance costs
#GovDesign
Note the considerations of maintenance costs
#GovDesign
🎉 We've just published big new Service Manual guidance, defining what a government service is.
This helps people know when their work is part of a service, and what standards and guidance apply. 💪
www.gov.uk/service-manu...
#govdesign #gds
This helps people know when their work is part of a service, and what standards and guidance apply. 💪
www.gov.uk/service-manu...
#govdesign #gds
www.gov.uk
March 10, 2025 at 4:58 PM
🎉 We've just published big new Service Manual guidance, defining what a government service is.
This helps people know when their work is part of a service, and what standards and guidance apply. 💪
www.gov.uk/service-manu...
#govdesign #gds
This helps people know when their work is part of a service, and what standards and guidance apply. 💪
www.gov.uk/service-manu...
#govdesign #gds
GDS is hiring a senior content designer to work on the Service Standard and Service Manual.
£56,070 - £70,219
Deadline end of Wednesday.
www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi...
#govdesign
£56,070 - £70,219
Deadline end of Wednesday.
www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi...
#govdesign
March 27, 2025 at 8:31 PM
GDS is hiring a senior content designer to work on the Service Standard and Service Manual.
£56,070 - £70,219
Deadline end of Wednesday.
www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi...
#govdesign
£56,070 - £70,219
Deadline end of Wednesday.
www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi...
#govdesign
Hello #GovDesign crowd!
I’m en route to Edinburgh 🏴 and @sdingov.bsky.social, while working on content for our Friday workshop on finally making end-to-end #serviceDesign happen.
Despite the grim weather forecast, the weather in Scotland looks gorgeous. It’s almost a #BlueSky right now!
See you!
I’m en route to Edinburgh 🏴 and @sdingov.bsky.social, while working on content for our Friday workshop on finally making end-to-end #serviceDesign happen.
Despite the grim weather forecast, the weather in Scotland looks gorgeous. It’s almost a #BlueSky right now!
See you!
September 16, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Hello #GovDesign crowd!
I’m en route to Edinburgh 🏴 and @sdingov.bsky.social, while working on content for our Friday workshop on finally making end-to-end #serviceDesign happen.
Despite the grim weather forecast, the weather in Scotland looks gorgeous. It’s almost a #BlueSky right now!
See you!
I’m en route to Edinburgh 🏴 and @sdingov.bsky.social, while working on content for our Friday workshop on finally making end-to-end #serviceDesign happen.
Despite the grim weather forecast, the weather in Scotland looks gorgeous. It’s almost a #BlueSky right now!
See you!
It’s greatly nerdy – #FormFest is returning on 4 December.
It’s a unique format for #GovDesign folks interested in creating better #forms.
You can sign up for free:
web.cvent.com/event/fe5746...
It’s a unique format for #GovDesign folks interested in creating better #forms.
You can sign up for free:
web.cvent.com/event/fe5746...
November 20, 2024 at 1:49 PM
It’s greatly nerdy – #FormFest is returning on 4 December.
It’s a unique format for #GovDesign folks interested in creating better #forms.
You can sign up for free:
web.cvent.com/event/fe5746...
It’s a unique format for #GovDesign folks interested in creating better #forms.
You can sign up for free:
web.cvent.com/event/fe5746...
Valuable time with DfE's @andyjones.bsky.social, @kerry1yons.bsky.social & @debblanch44.bsky.social today, seeing their great work filling gaps in Service Transformation standards, looking at how GDS might do this but whole-public-sector. #govdesign #govdigital
- Arranged meet DfE’s standards & guidance ppl to talk compliance + how+why they made apply-the-service-standard.education.gov.uk
- Drafted deck explaining what our Service Transformation team is doing (seeing as we’re mentioned thrice in the Blueprint For Modern Digital Government)
3/4 #weekpost
- Drafted deck explaining what our Service Transformation team is doing (seeing as we’re mentioned thrice in the Blueprint For Modern Digital Government)
3/4 #weekpost
February 11, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Valuable time with DfE's @andyjones.bsky.social, @kerry1yons.bsky.social & @debblanch44.bsky.social today, seeing their great work filling gaps in Service Transformation standards, looking at how GDS might do this but whole-public-sector. #govdesign #govdigital
As many of us wonder what’s happening with what used to be GDS, the “they forgot it existed” explanation is the most plausible one for me.
Ministers now focus on “give lots of money to AI techbros”.
“Digital” has the same level of attention as basket weaving - nice but historic.
#GovDesign
Ministers now focus on “give lots of money to AI techbros”.
“Digital” has the same level of attention as basket weaving - nice but historic.
#GovDesign
I beg readers not to try and work out why parts of government are being moved between departments.
THERE ARE NO LOGICAL REASONS!
DECC was made part of BEIS simply because May forgot it existed.
THERE ARE NO LOGICAL REASONS!
DECC was made part of BEIS simply because May forgot it existed.
July 21, 2026 at 11:01 AM
As many of us wonder what’s happening with what used to be GDS, the “they forgot it existed” explanation is the most plausible one for me.
Ministers now focus on “give lots of money to AI techbros”.
“Digital” has the same level of attention as basket weaving - nice but historic.
#GovDesign
Ministers now focus on “give lots of money to AI techbros”.
“Digital” has the same level of attention as basket weaving - nice but historic.
#GovDesign
November 25, 2024 at 9:33 AM
I'm v excited that the GOV.UK Service Manual has today been updated to include using the Universal barriers to make services more inclusive.
👉 www.gov.uk/service-manu...
#govdesign #inclusion #exclusion #servicedesign
👉 www.gov.uk/service-manu...
#govdesign #inclusion #exclusion #servicedesign
Making your service more inclusive - Service Manual - GOV.UK
GOV.UK
Making sure everyone who needs your service can use it as easily as possible.
www.gov.uk
January 7, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I'm v excited that the GOV.UK Service Manual has today been updated to include using the Universal barriers to make services more inclusive.
👉 www.gov.uk/service-manu...
#govdesign #inclusion #exclusion #servicedesign
👉 www.gov.uk/service-manu...
#govdesign #inclusion #exclusion #servicedesign
I'm very happy my talk from this years int’l #GovDesign Conference in Amsterdam is now available on YouTube!
You cannot make good forms without working with the form users.
You cannot make good forms without working with the form processors.
You cannot make good forms without working with the form owners.
My colleague @paulpistorius.bsky.social on the triangle of success of good form design —
🔘 🔲 🔺
You cannot make good forms without working with the form processors.
You cannot make good forms without working with the form owners.
My colleague @paulpistorius.bsky.social on the triangle of success of good form design —
🔘 🔲 🔺
Triangle of success – involving the right parties in the form design process
YouTube video by UK Gov Design
youtu.be
May 26, 2025 at 8:35 AM
I'm very happy my talk from this years int’l #GovDesign Conference in Amsterdam is now available on YouTube!
Where’s the blogging mojo of UK #GovDesign?
After much early-pandemic activity, I see far fewer posts on blog.gov.uk platforms.
Why?
There are more UCD people in gov’t than ever before, but a lot of work has become invisible.
That’s not good. For sharing, learning, and accountability.
After much early-pandemic activity, I see far fewer posts on blog.gov.uk platforms.
Why?
There are more UCD people in gov’t than ever before, but a lot of work has become invisible.
That’s not good. For sharing, learning, and accountability.
GOV.UK blogs
Welcome to GOV.UK blogs - see blog posts
blog.gov.uk
August 26, 2024 at 9:19 AM
Where’s the blogging mojo of UK #GovDesign?
After much early-pandemic activity, I see far fewer posts on blog.gov.uk platforms.
Why?
There are more UCD people in gov’t than ever before, but a lot of work has become invisible.
That’s not good. For sharing, learning, and accountability.
After much early-pandemic activity, I see far fewer posts on blog.gov.uk platforms.
Why?
There are more UCD people in gov’t than ever before, but a lot of work has become invisible.
That’s not good. For sharing, learning, and accountability.
You know #GovDesign has properly landed on BlueSky when we’re having this discussion, and a bunch of smart people are comparing notes and strategies and helping each other out
Does anyone have a pithy summary of what is a product v what is a service?
I know the difference but I’m struggling to articulate it clearly 😅
There’s a lot out there on services, less about products (outside of physical product manufacturing).
I know the difference but I’m struggling to articulate it clearly 😅
There’s a lot out there on services, less about products (outside of physical product manufacturing).
November 1, 2023 at 7:50 PM
You know #GovDesign has properly landed on BlueSky when we’re having this discussion, and a bunch of smart people are comparing notes and strategies and helping each other out
This hits so hard. I was entirely numb when I heard the news.
Vicky was such a generous & kind person, knowledgeable & experienced designer, and one of the most vital contributors to the #GovDesign community. Her passing is such a devastating loss for us.
Wishing her family & friends all strength!
Vicky was such a generous & kind person, knowledgeable & experienced designer, and one of the most vital contributors to the #GovDesign community. Her passing is such a devastating loss for us.
Wishing her family & friends all strength!
January 12, 2025 at 10:21 PM
This hits so hard. I was entirely numb when I heard the news.
Vicky was such a generous & kind person, knowledgeable & experienced designer, and one of the most vital contributors to the #GovDesign community. Her passing is such a devastating loss for us.
Wishing her family & friends all strength!
Vicky was such a generous & kind person, knowledgeable & experienced designer, and one of the most vital contributors to the #GovDesign community. Her passing is such a devastating loss for us.
Wishing her family & friends all strength!
In today’s episode of #FixTheFoms, a very useful post from DfE about moving from a “yes/no” question (actually not too bad because of the “other” option, but still) to a really very much better question about disability and health conditions
#GovDesign
#CivicDesign
#GovDesign
#CivicDesign
This is excellent, and a great example of where 'none of the above' can perform better than a 'yes/no' question
becoming-a-teacher.design-history.education.gov.uk/apply-for-te...
#accessibility
becoming-a-teacher.design-history.education.gov.uk/apply-for-te...
#accessibility
Changing how we ask about disabilities and health conditions
Why we no longer ask people if they are disabled, and instead show everyone a list of disabilities and health conditions.
becoming-a-teacher.design-history.education.gov.uk
December 16, 2024 at 12:48 PM
In today’s episode of #FixTheFoms, a very useful post from DfE about moving from a “yes/no” question (actually not too bad because of the “other” option, but still) to a really very much better question about disability and health conditions
#GovDesign
#CivicDesign
#GovDesign
#CivicDesign
It’s something @karakane-kk.bsky.social and I plan to discuss at the Amsterdam #GovDesign conference, if you’re interested.
February 9, 2025 at 4:51 PM
It’s something @karakane-kk.bsky.social and I plan to discuss at the Amsterdam #GovDesign conference, if you’re interested.
One more terrific talk from the #UserNeedsFirst #GovDesign conference went up on YouTube:
@richardpope.org’s closing keynote, “Beyond user needs: Why we need an expanded design philosophy for the digital public sector” with plenty of food for thought—
youtu.be/0z3trE1RAlk
@richardpope.org’s closing keynote, “Beyond user needs: Why we need an expanded design philosophy for the digital public sector” with plenty of food for thought—
youtu.be/0z3trE1RAlk
Beyond user needs: Why we need an expanded design philosophy for the digital public sector
YouTube video by UK Gov Design
youtu.be
April 28, 2025 at 8:56 AM
One more terrific talk from the #UserNeedsFirst #GovDesign conference went up on YouTube:
@richardpope.org’s closing keynote, “Beyond user needs: Why we need an expanded design philosophy for the digital public sector” with plenty of food for thought—
youtu.be/0z3trE1RAlk
@richardpope.org’s closing keynote, “Beyond user needs: Why we need an expanded design philosophy for the digital public sector” with plenty of food for thought—
youtu.be/0z3trE1RAlk