Episode #2 Design at Every Layer

Featuring Pamela Hastings, Senior Digital Services Expert for Design and Research, United States Digital Service

Pamela Hastings, who started her career as a photographer and a layout artist, entered the field of civic technology to make services more accessible and human-centered. She has over two decades of experience working across private and public sectors in journalism, travel, and education.

Pamela defines design as how our intentions are realized. In government, this may look like re-envisioning government benefits or services with design intent, as opposed to systems being built on reaction to something.

My Key Takeaways.

1. Bring Designers at the very beginning of a project before problem definition

2. Use lightweight prototyping as a way to invite people into the process

3. Map your Ecosystem

4. Reject the notion of codified authorship with design tools

5. Think subtractively — instead of thinking what to add in, what could be removed?

And a Bonus — stay curious!!

Pamela’s Design Tools Referenced.

Pamela encourages you not to be beholden to one specific template or framework. Search examples of each and explore!

  1. 5 Whys 

  2. Moderated Interview 

  3. Lightweight Prototyping 

  4. Ecosystem Mapping 

  5. Prioritization exercises