We’re increasingly hearing about service design. But do we know what it means? And what does a service designer design?

For October’s breakfast we’ve invited two designers working in this relatively new field to tell us more. Joe Smith and Gavin Maguire will explain how they apply principles of user-centred design, whether based on observation, discussion or (another newish development) co-creation, to improve people’s lives.

Service designers are interested in the truth of our everyday experiences, using their research to create better systems for service delivery, including hardware and user-interface design, information architecture, customer communications and staff training programmes.

You may ask how a service designer’s work relates to that by a product, graphic or digital designer? Where does branding fit? And are service designers stepping on anyone’s toes? Expect to hear about a holistic, future-focused approach, not tied to any specific discipline but to the best solution, and why clients are increasingly taking notice of what service design has to offer.

About the speakers

Joe Smith - lead designer at FutureGov, a social innovation consultancy working in the public sector - is re-imagining the business model, moving away from consultancy and towards partnerships and joint ventures. He believes service design has a social function and relevance beyond its commercial application. Joe is a local government specialist.

Gavin Maguire - senior service designer with Engine, a service design and innovation consultancy that works with corporate clients, such as Virgin Atlantic and BSkyB, as well as government authorities. Gavin trained as an industrial designer.

Talks at Designer Breakfasts are now being filmed for separate broadcast. Regrettably, this means we will not be able to allow people who are late to enter the session. Please arrive from 8:00 am onwards to enjoy breakfast with us, and certainly by 8:30 am to be sure of admittance.