In Service: Notes from the Field

Tactical insights and thoughtful dispatches from inside the work.


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We write regularly about the ideas, tools, and practices shaping better public systems. View all blog posts or browse posts by theme to dig deeper into the topics that matter most to you.

Civic Glossary Public Servants Team Civic Glossary Public Servants Team

Community Experience (ComX)

Community Experience (ComX) reflects how groups—not just individuals—interact with and are shaped by public systems. From neighborhood safety to schools, transit, and shared spaces, ComX influences whether communities feel supported or overlooked. Strong ComX fosters belonging and cohesion, while weak ComX deepens divides and distrust. Designing for ComX means designing for resilience across groups.

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Ideas & Essays Ashleigh Axios Ideas & Essays Ashleigh Axios

Design for public communications

Communications leaders in government face more pressure than ever—from polarization to funding cycles that keep teams reactive. Design can help. By shaping not just how communications look, but how they work, design creates clarity, resilience, and trust.

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Ideas & Essays Patty Beirne Ideas & Essays Patty Beirne

Anti-ego design

Anti-ego design isn’t about working quietly in the background—it’s about showing up with humility, listening deeply, and co-creating solutions that last. Here’s how to recognize and support designers who put outcomes and communities ahead of ego.

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