Design for Experts
Design for Experts provides professional learning for existing and aspiring public designers, including people preparing to move into a public design role.
Professional Learning Pathway Stages
Introduction to Public Design → Universal Public Design Practices → Specialist Public Design Practices
Students begin with the mandatory Introduction to Public Design. They can then complete the seven universal practice modules in any order, although we recommend taking them in sequence. Specialist modules support further development in specific public design roles and will be introduced progressively.
Introduction to Public Design
The mandatory starting point for the professional learning pathway.
This practical course introduces the purpose, process and practices of public design, and the different specialist roles involved in making public policies, services and spaces.
Key details
- Duration: 1 day
- Delivery: In person
- Audience: Existing and aspiring public designers
- Price: £350
Universal Public Design Practices
Seven applied modules develop the practices shared by public designers across different roles and disciplines.
Modules can be taken in any order, although we recommend completing them in sequence. Each module includes classroom learning and an independent work-based project.
Students who complete an individual module receive professional certification jointly awarded by the Government School of Design and the Chartered Society of Designers. Students who complete all seven modules are automatically assessed for chartership at the appropriate level.
Key details
- Modules: 7
- Format: 2 classroom days and a 3-day work-based project per module
- Availability: Available now
- Price: £650 per module
The Seven Universal Practice Modules
1. Understand the Problem
For public designers who need to investigate public problems and establish a sound basis for design work.
2. Make Sense of Evidence
For public designers who need to bring together varied evidence and establish a clear basis for further design work.
3. Communicate Insights and Ideas
For public designers who need to make design work clear, accessible and useful to different audiences.
4. Create Options for Change
For public designers who need to generate, assess and prioritise possible responses to public problems.
5. Prototype, Test, Learn and Adapt
For public designers who need to reduce uncertainty and risk as ideas develop.
6. Engage People to Produce Better Policies and Services
For public designers who need to involve users, stakeholders and colleagues effectively in design work.
7. Share and Reuse What Works
For public designers who need to find, use, create and share reusable design patterns.
Specialist Public Design Practices
Public designers work in different specialist roles, including policy design, service design, and interaction design. Specialist modules help designers develop the additional capabilities required for particular roles. These modules will be introduced progressively over the forthcoming years.
Explore a role to learn about its purpose, specialist skills, professional capability framework and relevant learning pathway:
Policy designer
Designs the policies and interventions government uses to achieve public aims.
Operational delivery designer
Designs the systems, processes and environments through which public services are delivered.
Service designer
Designs coherent end-to-end services across channels, organisations and technology.
Interaction designer
Designs the detailed ways people use and move through digital services.
Content designer
Designs clear, accessible information that helps people understand and act.
Graphic designer
Designs visual communication that makes public information and ideas clear and engaging.
Green designer
Designs policies, services and systems to achieve environmental and regenerative outcomes.