Service Design Show

Is design facing a crisis? You don't have to spend much time on LinkedIn to read about the recent layoffs, studio closures, and debates about our value. Whether or not you call it a crisis, it's hard to deny that things have been shaken up recently. But instead of focusing on surface level symptoms, let's dive deeper. In this episode, we sit down with Yvonne Tran, design director at the New York Times, to explore the underlying forces that shape design. Where are we coming from, and what could be its next destination. Why is design in its current state? Is this a backlash against the widespread understanding of "design thinking"? If everyone's a designer, what's the unique value a professional brings? Despite the challenges, Yvonne still sees a bright future for design. As our clients and colleagues evolve and mature, so must we. In our conversation, Yvonne outlined three key areas where design can continue to provide unique value. A thought-provoking episode for anyone interes

This has to stop... I don't care what they say. Chatbots s*ck. But we, as service design professionals, have the power to make things better. Sure, ChatGPT and Google Gemini are impressive tools, but a chatbot on a company's website? Probably one of the most frustrating experiences you can have these days. This trend toward replacing humans in service delivery is a growing concern. There's nothing wrong with trying to optimize processes. It becomes a problem when it's done in a mindless way to solely cut costs at the expense of the user experience. Our guest, ​Cameron Tonkinwise​, makes a compelling case for preserving the human element in service delivery. Because removing this vital component erodes something incredibly valuable that AI (or any other tech) can't and will never be able to replicate. As you can imagine, simply pointing out the problem isn't enough. So, in our conversation, we explore how to make a strong case for human-driven services... even to the most skeptical sta

Imagine that you had the power to look into the future... That you could escape from the short-term focus and envision a world years or even decades away. And on top of this, you'd be able to turn this vision into something real, a roadmap to guide your decisions today. Wouldn't that change everything? Now, this episode won't give you a crystal ball, but it might be the next best thing. We all know that the challenges we face today require different ways of thinking in order to solve them. If we continue on the trajectory we're currently on, our future isn't looking very bright, to say the least. In order to create a different, better future, we have to first imagine it. But with our world changing so fast, how can we even predict tomorrow, let alone years from now? Aren't we just better off focussing on the here and now? Not according to our guest, Ali Draudt. Ali teaches us that predicting the future is a hidden superpower of designers. Lucky for us, Ali is an expert – author of &qu

Here is something that makes many service design professionals cringe... The question to quantify the impact design has on the company goals. You'll see that finding the answer to this question is actually surprisingly easier (and more fun) than you might think. Here's a business mantra you might have heard before: If it's not being measured, it's not important. Numbers rule. That's that cold, hard reality of how companies operate. Now, as a design community, we've always struggled to quantify the value we bring to tangible business outcomes. Sure, there are valid reasons – we often work on systemic challenges where it's hard to make a water-tight correlation between our efforts and the specific impact they have on the goals. There are just many factors at play that have an influence, and isolating our contribution is hard or, rather, impossible. So, we often get hung up on this attribution question as we feel we can't "prove" how much we've contributed. Even i

What's the most important tool in your service design toolbox? No, it's not a fancy piece of software or a groundbreaking methodology. The most important tool is you. A bit cheesy? Perhaps. True? Absolutely! Let me explain. You're the enabler for all actions leading to positive change. It's easy to overlook the importance of keeping this tool—yourself—in top shape. And you can only deliver your best work when you're healthy and happy. If you're drained by unfulfilling work or feel your talent is going to waste, all the other tools in your kit won't matter. So, how do we get to a place where we do work that gives us joy and motivates us to get up in the morning? That's the theme of the conversation with our guest, Frances Yllana. Frances shares practical ways to align our work with our purpose. And we discuss the importance of prioritizing conscious career development, even in busy times. As you'll hear, the great thing is we can apply many tools and methods from

Design is at risk of being misused and exploited... Wow, I had to let that sink in for a moment. It's not the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of the service design community. I generally see a bunch of optimistic and passionate professionals dedicated to making the services around us better. However, our latest guest, George Aye, delivers an important wake-up call. George argues that when we solely focus on the feasibility aspect of our work, we fall into the trap of contributing to challenges that aren't aligned with our values. It's not enough to merely ask whether we can do something. As a practice, we must take responsibility and hold each other more accountable for the impact we have on the people that we serve. The key question, according to George, is whether we should contribute to a particular challenge. No challenge is too small for thorough scrutiny. We need to overcome the idea that we should get involved in every project and demand higher ethical standards from ourse

Could it be that we're missing the ultimate metric of success? If I asked you about the metrics driving your organization, I bet revenue, costs, and profit would top the list. Sure, staying in business means earning money, and for most organizations, growing profit has been the default mode of operation. But here's the catch: more money shouldn't, and frankly can't, be the end goal. We all feel the consequences of that mindset today. So, if profit isn't the ultimate metric of success, what could be the alternative? Our guest, Alan Moore, has an inspiring take on this. According to Alan, the metric to optimize our business for is beauty. Yes, you read that right, beauty. Now, I know this will sound a bit unconventional for some organizations, but just because beauty isn't a recognized metric doesn't mean it lacks importance. Just imagine a world where we actually would optimize for beauty instead of profit. Intriguing, right? So, is this just wishful thinking? Surely not! In our con

Here's a crazy idea... Imagine you had a team of service design superheroes by your side. A team that helps you take on the status quo head-on, challenging organizational inertia with confidence. As service design professionals, we're playing the long game. Change is a journey, and navigating tough times is part of adventure. Over the holidays, I read "The Long Game". In the book, the author underscores the importance of a strong support group to overcome short-term challenges and bridge the unavoidable chasm of doubt. Well, enter the ​Circle community​ – our, or rather your, team of service design superheroes. If you've been following my work, you'll know that we've been carefully building this support group over the last three years. Since day one, the Circle has been an ongoing prototype, and (fortunately) not everything works out as we plan. In this episode, you get a peek behind the curtains as we share the lessons learned from the past year. You'll also hear about our

We've all heard it before... An idea is nothing without execution. As service design professionals, our mission goes beyond doing research and creating future scenarios. We're here to create real, tangible change in the lives of the people we serve. But here's a frustration I'm sure you'll recognize: many insights we uncover eventually never materialize into solutions. It's been a critique of service design for years. Why does this happen? Well, one reason is the handover moments within organizations. Many great ideas die in the transition between people, teams, and departments. Plagued by conflicting agendas, different objectives, and unequal resources. And as service designers, we lack the mandate or authority to see our ideas through to the end. So here's a wild idea: What if there were no handovers? What if service design were the driving force all the way through? In this conversation, we sit down with ​Brad Alphonso​, who's successfully championed this approach within h

In our fast-paced society, we often find ourselves rushing through life. Whether meeting work deadlines or juggling personal commitments, speed and efficiency seem to rule the day. Our interactions with others have become transactional, focused on accomplishing tasks rather than building meaningful connections. Have we lost the art of genuine communication, leaving us feeling pressured and stressed, constantly chasing happiness? Sometimes, it definitely feels so. So what if we paused for a moment? What if we took the time to listen to one another without judgment or hidden agendas? Listening not to prove a point but to understand. Our guest this week, Johnnie Moore, introduces us to the concept of Unhurried Conversations. What started as a simple experiment has grown into a movement. Johnnie shares the origins of this movement, what it is at its core, and how it can be integrated into our busy lives, even in work settings where busyness often defines success. Unhurried Conversations act as a magical lubr

Design has failed... There's a growing narrative that design has fallen short, failing to tackle important business challenges and truly impact customers' lives. But let's dive deeper. Was this a predictable narrative from the start? In recent years, design often found itself working within confined parameters, struggling to fit into an agile, time-boxed, and predictable fashion. Trying to responsibly and get in line with the rest of the business. I've seen many talented service design professionals work their *ss off, still trying to deliver the best work within these boundaries. But the odds were always against them. Perhaps it's our optimism or the sheer challenge that leads us to believe we can reshape design to fit within these constraints. We tried, and to some extent, we succeeded. But when we're honest, the result often resembles a watered-down, marginalized version of what design is truly capable of. So, it's not surprising to come across critiques regarding the impact of

ResearchOps, it's a real game-changer... To drive home why, let me share a personal story. I've been producing this podcast for six years now. There are at least 60 steps that need to be completed before a conversation reaches your ears. Over the years, I've put different systems in place to make the production process run smoother. But here's the interesting part: Today, I spend about the same amount of time on each episode as I did in my first year. So what's changed, you ask? Now that I've standardized and documented the entire process, much of the logistical overhead is out of the way. I use that time to focus on our guests and the quality of our conversation -- the magic happens there. So, what does this have to do with research? Well, what if we applied a similar approach to research? We all know that there's no service design without research. However, getting the time and resources needed for proper research is tough. Research is still often seen as an expense to be minim

There is no way around it; you have to lead... Here's the elephant in the room: Being in a leadership position can be a lonely and isolated endeavor. As service design professionals, we often find ourselves in situations where people look up to us on what to do next. They put their trust in us to set out the course and direction. Great, right? Well, if you're the one who has to carry the weight of making the correct call each and every time, it can easily lead to unhealthy situations and potentially burnout. Not to mention that the challenges we work on are simply too complex to solve in isolation. But it doesn't have to be this way, as our guest, Amelia Diggle, shares in this episode. In our conversation, Amelia shares some unconventional leadership practices that promote collaboration, effectiveness, and even fun, from working out loud to deep listening and mindfulness. Amelia's insights offer a much-needed, refreshing perspective on compassionate leadership. As you'll hear, regardless

Let's face it... In many organizations, human-centered design, unfortunately isn't yet woven into the cultural fabric. This means that design often still needs to earn its stripes before it gets fully accepted inside an environment that's dominated by a different mindset. And the stakes are high. Either design's influence grows, and investments shift toward it, or it risks fading into insignificance. Right now, there's a strong debate going on in our field: How can we earn this respect without losing our design essence, the very source of our effectiveness? ​Scott Zimmer, our guest this week, brings a wealth of insights on what it takes to persuade organizations to make substantial (financial) investments in design. Through his experiences in executive leadership roles, he successfully championed design, building environments where it was regarded as an equal partner rather than a replaceable resource. In this conversation, we delve into the strategies for building bridges between business

This can't be true... It was a revelation that left Mauricio Manhaes in disbelief. A disturbing pattern emerged during his research on what it means to cultivate a design-driven culture in everyday work. Doing research is much like connecting dots, where individual stories often lack groundbreaking insights. However, unexpected patterns can suddenly emerge when you look across these stories. And that's exactly what happened when Mauricio interviewed some of our field's most accomplished, experienced, and respected professionals. These professionals were generously sharing their work journeys and challenges. But when Mauricio zoomed out and started to reflect on the stories, he realized these challenges weren't rooted in a lack of skills or resources. A deeper, systemic issue is at play, limiting design and designers from living up to their full potential. Mauricio has recently published his findings and came on the Show to share them with us. Join us to gain insights into what might be

It's the magic ingredient (and blind spot)...Trust. It's not a topic that gets much attention in the service design space, but it's the secret sauce you need to get people on board with your ideas. Trust is the linchpin whether it's your colleagues, clients, or CEO. That's why, in this week's episode, we dive into what it truly takes to cultivate a deep sense of trust with those around us. The good news? You likely already have all the skills required. While trust is universally important, it's especially relevant for us as service design professionals. Most of the time, we do not control the budget or have full decision-making power. We're heavily reliant on partners to turn insights into action. It's fair to say that building partnerships is a daily necessity for effective service design. The challenge (and frustration) arises when we struggle to secure genuine buy-in within these partners. Sure, we can get heads nodding in agreement when we present our plans or ideas. Bu

It's not a walk in the park... In fact, calling it challenging is a major understatement. What we, as service design professionals, often need to tackle some could described as brain surgery. But I bet they didn't teach you that in service design school. They certainly didn't for me. But why the analogy to brain surgery, you ask? According to our guest, Perrin Rowland, who serves as the Chief Experience Design Officer at one of New Zealand's largest banks, a significant part of our role involves rewiring the organizational neural pathways. This rewiring is necessary because many established organizations lack the infrastructure needed to fully leverage the potential of design. It's simply not their modus operandi; it's not how they've reached their current status (quo). Consequently, these organizations don't align with the core design principles, which leads to misaligned beliefs, behaviors, and practices. This misalignment often results in disappointment when design attempts

What's the impact? What happens when you can translate the value of service design in a way your business leaders understand? Does your daily work transform? How does it influence your projects? Does it open doors to new challenges? Does it boost your career? Many theories abound, but why not hear it straight from the pros who are bridging this business-design gap? In this episode, six service design professionals share their journey. And here's a spoiler: improving your business communication skills isn't just crucial for client-facing roles; it's invaluable whether you're freelancing or working in-house. Thank you for being part of our community. Your work matters, and remember, we've got your back! - Marc [ 1. Episode Guide ] 00:00 Welcome 03:30 The graduates 04:30 Kate (agency) 11:15 Vinatha (in-house) 19:00 Afi (independent) 27:15 Anu (in-house) 34:45 Jane (in-house) 41:15 Cristina (public sector) 49:45 Closing thoughts [ 2. Selling Service Design wit

It feels like an absolute no-brainer... Involving our users in the design process. We've all seen the outcomes of services that neglected this step. In the best case, these services that looked great on paper just get no adoption in the market. In the worst case, they cause harm to certain communities. Within service design, we know that co-designing solutions is a way to minimize this risk greatly and to deliver services that meet the needs of our users. Yet, involving users in a meaningful way is easier said than done. The challenges can be overwhelming, like ensuring that co-design happens before the key decisions are made. So, what does it take to good co-design? Well, in this episode, Marc sat down for a chat with Emma Blomkamp. Emma is a respected expert in our industry around anything and everything co-design. Emma's insights on good co-design go beyond processes, touching on its often-overlooked mental aspects. Because knowing the right steps in a co-design process is meaningless if it leads t

In this episode, we dive deep into DesignOps and its rapid adoption by leading companies worldwide. Personally, I'm a strong advocate for DesignOps. I feel it holds the potential to unleash, or at least significantly contribute to, the full power of design within organizations. The fact that you're reading this tells me that you probably also feel design needs to operate at a more strategic level and not be confined to surface-level challenges. DesignOps plays a crucial role in creating an environment where design and design professionals flourish. It bridges the gap between an organization's existing operations, often misaligned with a design-driven approach, and a future where design seamlessly integrates with how business is done. As you might have experienced yourself, most organizations lack the supporting systems, processes, and tools for design to thrive. Design's voice is often muffled amidst the organizational noise. Being in such a scenario can be incredibly frustrating. You recog