Summary
In Australia, the public sector is marred by a legacy of efficiency-driven systems that put some of Australia’s most vulnerable at risk. The outcomes of recent Royal Commissions triggered by these failures suggest that the public sector is moving into a new era. Project proposals now require ethnographic research and meaningful collaboration with people who have lived experience of systems failure. We will share our trajectory as a ten-year-old design organization advocating for and driving these practices, recent project case studies about mental health reform and co-production, and a series of provocations about the path we see ahead.
Key Insights
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Civic design has matured significantly over the past decade in Australia, coinciding with growing public demand for better social services.
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Public policy in Australia faced systemic failures, often leading to royal commissions to address these issues and recommend reforms.
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Mental health reform is a focal area for civic design, showcasing a shift towards co-design processes that prioritize community input.
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Design has evolved from being seen as a simple service to a complex tool for equity and systemic change.
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Organizations must adapt to build capabilities among teams, integrating lived experience into the design process to enhance effectiveness.
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The importance of care plans for each project emphasizes the need for trauma-informed principles within civic design.
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Blended teams that include stakeholders with lived experience are crucial for meaningful engagement and effective project outcomes.
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Clear milestones and safety measures in co-design processes help ensure responsible and engaging participation from diverse voices.
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The design sector is increasingly viewed as a means of promoting efficiency in public services, linking design to government accountability and transparency.
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Ongoing learning and adaptation are essential for both organizations and individuals as the landscape of civic design continues to evolve.
Notable Quotes
"Sovereignty was never ceded."
"In 2011, Australia was on the brink of both climatic disasters and a growing public demand for accountable governance."
"The public sector was undesigned and disorganized, focused more on bureaucracy than on citizen engagement."
"Design is moving from an outsourcing tool to a central mechanism for equity."
"We must recognize that mental health is about much more than just the absence of illness."
"Over 65 recommendations for the mental health system were made, with nearly a third calling for co-design."
"We need to build capabilities within divisions, not just among individuals."
"True power sharing requires a behavior change and reflection on expertise."
"Designers must learn to facilitate this equitable process while managing diverse expectations."
"Housing a trauma-informed practice requires more than a project-by-project approach; it should permeate our operations."
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