Public-centered design is the discipline of shaping public services, policies, and operations around the needs and lived experiences of the people they affect—while strengthening trust, equity, and long-term public value. This glossary entry defines the term, explains its benefits, and outlines how organizations can apply it to improve outcomes for communities and public servants alike.

Emerging creatives have an essential role to play in shaping public systems. Public Servants’ Spring 2026 creative and civic practice internship is a paid, part-time, remote contract role offering space for early-career creatives to contribute to real projects in design, storytelling, and public-interest work. Applications are now open.

Post-election periods can create pressure to act fast, but urgency alone rarely leads to better outcomes. What public-sector teams need most in this moment is alignment—clarity on priorities, roles, workflows, and the public experience they aim to protect. This piece explores how governments can move from reaction to coordinated, people-centered action in the early months after an election.

Employee Experience (EX) reflects what it feels like to work inside public institutions—from the tools and training staff rely on to the culture, policies, and leadership they navigate. When EX is strong, employees are empowered to serve residents with clarity and care. When it frays, burnout, turnover, and system breakdowns follow. Supporting EX means supporting every other strand of the public experience.

Public trust isn’t earned through press releases or polished plans—it’s built through honest communication, meaningful engagement, and consistent follow-through. For mayors navigating public pressure and limited capacity, trust isn’t just a goal. It’s the foundation.

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.

The first Summer Fridays session explored a provocative question: What if implementation was the most creative part of public work? Participants shared stories, challenges, and sparks of possibility—reframing implementation as a space for collaboration, experimentation, and care. Read the full recap and see what’s next in the series.

Public trust isn’t earned at launch, it’s earned in the lead-up. The Trust Signals Scorecard is a free, fast tool for civic leaders to evaluate whether their programs, policies, or communications reinforce public confidence—or unintentionally erode it. Before you publish, pause here.

Public servants do the quiet, essential work that keeps government moving. This post explores their roles, challenges, and why supporting them is key to public trust.