Introduction to User-centred Design (UCD) in Government - 1 day training - Brighton - £275/£350

Building products and services for users is what digital transformation in government is all about. This 1 day, in person course in Brighton will give you an intro to why and how we do this.

We talk a lot about UCD in government: it’s an approach, a job family, and a community. But most importantly it’s a way of putting users first. It helps us stay focussed on the purpose of it all. It makes sure we minimise the risk of wasting time and money on developing services that do not work, do not meet policy intentions or that do not produce equitable outcomes.

User-centredness has been at the heart of the Government Digital Service (GDS) since its inception, and this has followed through to digital transformation across the UK government, and around the world. It’s the first Government Design Principle. It’s the first point in the Service Standard, and the first point in the Technology Code of Practice.

In this course, we'll cover these questions:

• What is user-centred design?

• What is service design?

• How does user research work?

• Who are users and what are user needs?

• How do we know we’re building the right thing for users?

• How do we design for equity, inclusion and accessibility?

• What are all the different design and research roles?

• How is it different in Government?

• What are some of the problems with and criticisms of user-centred design?

About your trainer, Clara

Clara worked at the Government Digital Service (GDS) for 8 years, including 5 years on the User-centred design community team. She created 7 training courses, ran them over 70 times training over 1400 civil servants.

One of the courses she created was the Introduction to User-centred design course for the GDS Academy (now sadly closed), which is the predecessor for this course.

Who the course is for

This course is perfect for:

• Anyone new to user-centred research or design

• Designers and researchers who are new to working in government

• People who want to be able to work better with researchers and designers

• People who want to understand what user-centred design is all about

No experience or preparation is required.

This course primarily designed for people working in or with central government department, local government, NHS, Parliament, arms-length body or regulator, but the content is very relevant for anyone interested in user-centred design.
The learning on this course happens in activities and reflection. You will be invited to participate in chats, discussions, small group and individual exercises.

Discounts and opportunity tickets

We offer an early bird discount up to a month before the training day and a group booking discount for groups of 3 or more colleagues.

We have a few subsidised or free opportunity tickets available. If you’re Black, disabled, trans, First Nations, not university educated, or if you’re working in the climate space - get in touch.

Food and drinks

Tea, coffee, water and snacks will be provided. We will have an hour break for you to have lunch - being in central Brighton, there will be plenty of lunch options available, and there is a kitchen where you can heat up your lunch or sit and eat.

Venue accessibility and access needs

The course will be held in person in a training room in a lovely co-working space a short walk from Brighton station. The exact location will be sent to attendees before the course starts. 

People with all access needs are welcome on this course!

Let us know what your access needs are when you buy your ticket and we will make sure you can access the training venue and get the most from the course.

Sign ups and cancellation

We need a minimum of 6 people to run this course. If we don’t reach this number we will refund your ticket, and we will let you know about a future date for the course.

You ticket is fully refundable if you cancel it more than 14 days before the course starts, otherwise full charges will apply.

Get in touch

If you have a question or there is anything we can do to enable you to be able to fully participate in this course, contact Clara.
You can give us anonymous feedback at any time using this form.