Why you should come to the 2018 Service Design Fringe Festival

Long time festival supporter, and service designer at the Government Digital Service, Harry Vos, tells us why he thinks you should all come to this year’s Service Design Fringe Festival.

1. It’s less samey. The festival spans from vulnerable users of financial services to the future of love. It’s not just talks, but a series of workshops, panels, and a speed recruitment event to help you extend your network. We’re asking how inclusive our industry is, and how inclusive are the services we’re designing? We’re exploring the fringes of the industry, because service design is no longer fringe, and these conversations need a bigger platform.

2. You can come for free. We have some free tickets, as well as donation tickets. We want to reduce barriers to coming. The festival is volunteer-run and receives some financial help from our partners. The money we get from donations goes towards the hire of the venue, and to pay volunteers expenses.

3. Everyone is welcome. All venues are fully accessible to wheelchair users. We are hoping to get sponsorship for some sign language interpreters and/or subtitling of the events we film (get in touch if you can help!).

4. You’ll meet lots of passionate people who we want to inspire you. Our strength has always been the atmosphere in the community we’re lucky to have. This year, we are looking to broaden the community, reaching out to people we feel are under-represented in the service design industry, looking to bring greater diversity to conversations about inclusive services. We are trying to make everyone feel safe and included through our Code of Conduct.

5. We welcome people from all sectors. We think we have something for everyone, covering business, startups, healthcare, government, 3rd sector, media, and academia. If we missed you out, please let us know!

6. We’re gonna have a party! At an LGBT+ theatre. Yes, on a Thursday.

Diversity & Inclusion Co-design Workshop

"Diversity is the mix. Inclusion is making the mix work", Andrés Tapia.

After last year's edition, a lack of diversity at the Service Design Fringe Festival (SDFF) was recognised. Even more importantly, it is an issue within the Design Industry as a whole.

So this year, we are aiming at doing better. This means ensuring that Inclusion and Diversity is one of our core values and not only a tick in the box!

That's not all! We see as well the Festival as a springboard to make a change within the industry.

Julian, Alice, and Lior planning the D&I workshop. "Diversity is a necessary step to reach inclusion."

Tonight a workshop is going to be held with a bunch of bright people from diverse backgrounds who want the industry to be more inclusive. As part of this workshop, we will develop a Diversity and Inclusion Manifesto. This Manifesto will be communicated to all people involved with the Festival (speakers, partners, attendees, volunteers...) and we expect everyone involved in the festival to support it and promote it.

More to come on D&I after tonight's workshop.

Operations Octopus on Board!

Hello! I’m Alice and I have recently joined the SDFF as the ‘Operations Octopus’! As an operations octopus, I’ll be juggling various projects to ensure things are happening at the right time, and within the allocated budget.

I am coming from the construction industry, where I used to work as a Project Engineer. My last position as an engineer was on the phenomenal Crossrail project, in London. This is my first position in service design, and I’ve been thrilled to learn about it each week.

I find it to be more than just processes; it’s a philosophy on how to consider your client in the service industry. By starting the design of services from the end user or end customers’ needs, I am confident that service delivery can be optimized. For those who like me want to learn more about Service Design, here's a few links to look at:

Design Lab's take on service design

Interaction Design Foundation's take on service design principles

...and of course the video of the festival.

Across countries, languages and industries I have developed a great respect of teams and teamwork.

The way to succeed is by having a passionate team working towards a common goal, with transparency and honesty.

I am thrilled with the opportunity to champion Diversity and Inclusion, work satisfaction and work life balance at the Service Design Fringe Festival. Service design is a way to change the service industry; let’s do it in an ethical and innovative way!

Working freelance at the moment, I have time to be involved on a part time basis in other projects. I am always free to meet for a coffee (or pint!) if you want to discuss any opportunities. I am genuinely enthusiastic to work with start-ups and charity organisations on improving process, brainstorming ideas, or simply assisting with taking the first step!

Alice

Alice.magand@gmail.com

@AliceMagand