Illuminating Public Service Design
Illuminating Public Service Design
Unexpected lessons from a lamp
[reading time: about 5 minutes]
Happy Tuesday, Transformation Friends. Another week, another opportunity to go Beyond the Status Quo.
This week, we’re exploring how functionality and aesthetics can work hand in hand to show that good design is not just about looks but also about how well a product serves its purpose.
Hat tip to my fellow stacker, Patrick Morgan, who runs a substack called Better by Design, where he looks at great designs and the lessons they teach us.
Highly recommend.
Recently, Patrick wrote about the Angleprose lamp. It’s a great post, and it got me thinking and inspired me to write this post, so thank you, Patrick.
With its distinctive yet wholly practical design, the Anglepoise lamp stands as a beacon of the power of blending aesthetics and functionality. Invented in 1932 by George Carwardine, a British car designer, the lamp's history, mechanics, and global acceptance weave an intriguing narrative. While perhaps not immediately apparent, it is a tale that provides an insightful analogy to public sector transformation. The lamp's innovative and adaptable design, which seamlessly marries form and function, serves as an enduring symbol of good design philosophy, which is applicable far beyond the realm of product design.
This surprising analogy mirrors the core principles of public sector transformation. Like the lamp, public services must be functional, adaptable, and efficient. They must meet the needs of the citizens they serve in the most effective way possible. Yet, this is only one side of the coin. The other side, often overlooked, is the aesthetic appeal, which I believe in the context of public service translates to experience. An efficient service that is difficult or unpleasant to use might fulfill its function, but it fails to provide a satisfactory user experience.
The Anglepoise lamp, with its blend of performance and user-friendly design, serves as an apt model for public service transformation, emphasizing the importance of both functionality and experience.
A Paragon of Functionality and Aesthetics
British car designer George Carwardine didn't just invent a lamp; he created a timeless piece of design that embodied a philosophy of marrying functionality and aesthetics. As he was perfecting vehicle suspension systems, he stumbled upon a mechanism that would change how we light our spaces. This mechanism allowed the lamp to maintain any position it was moved into, thus offering a wide range of adjustability without requiring any clamping.
Carwardine's innovative design, first patented in 1932, was initially aimed at working environments like workshops and medical practices. The design's success led to the birth of the household-friendly three-spring version and the extremely popular 1227 model released in 1935. Even during the tumultuous times of the Second World War, the Anglepoise lamp found its way into bombers, demonstrating its utility and adaptability to serve in diverse contexts.
The enduring value of the Anglepoise lamp lies in its design - a careful balance between function and form. Its springs at the base, arm linkages, and materials evolved over the years, but the essence remained the same - a design that serves its purpose effectively while pleasing the eye.
Public Sector Transformation: Functionality and Aesthetics in Citizen Interaction
The story of the Anglepoise lamp offers a valuable lesson for public sector transformation: the harmonious integration of functionality and aesthetics. Just as the Anglepoise lamp became iconic due to its ability to serve its purpose effectively while maintaining a pleasing design, public services can benefit from a similar focus on both practicality and user experience.
Public services, in essence, exist to meet the needs of citizens. Functionality, therefore, is at the heart of effective public service. It's not just about having services available; it's about ensuring these services meet citizens' needs efficiently, much like the Anglepoise lamp was designed to provide flexible, reliable lighting. User-centred design principles come into play here. Public services should be designed with the needs and preferences of citizens in mind. Advancements in technology can enhance functionality, with digital transformations streamlining services, increasing accessibility, and allowing for personalized experiences.
But, what about aesthetics?
In public services, aesthetics goes beyond visual appeal to the overall user experience. Well-designed services are intuitive, easy to navigate, and pleasant to use. Good experiences build trust and satisfaction among citizens, a crucial aspect of public service.
The Anglepoise lamp, with its enduring design, continues to attract users, demonstrating the power of aesthetics.
Improving the experience of public services can involve multiple strategies. Well-designed websites, user-friendly interfaces, and physical spaces that are pleasant and welcoming all contribute to a positive user experience. In essence, a focus on experience makes public services not just accessible but inviting.
Wrap Up
The Anglepoise lamp, an everyday object, embodies a powerful design philosophy with significant implications for public sector transformation. By focusing on functionality and experience, public services can become more efficient, effective, and pleasing, enhancing overall citizen satisfaction.
As we continue to evolve and innovate in the public sector, let the Anglepoise lamp serve as a reminder of the enduring value of good design: A design that is practical, pleasing to the eye, and easy to use. A design that meets its users' needs while enriching their experience.
This is the essence of public sector transformation - creating services that work effectively for the public and are appreciated by them. As we illuminate our spaces with the Anglepoise lamp, may we also illuminate the path to an effective and satisfying public service that genuinely serves citizens.
I’ll see you Beyond the Status Quo.