“A change in the circumstances of a user which creates a need to use a public administrative service or services, and that may require co-ordination and integration between different service providers” —life event definition for public #serviceDesign, shared by @oecdgovernance.bsky.social this week

Great chat yesterday with @hilarymarsh.bsky.social about documenting #ContentStrategy history, and not reinventing the wheel!

If we can only have art from people who "aren't in it for the money" that means we can only have art from privileged middle-class dilettantes. Making art being a viable career is responsible for nearly all worthwhile art, and if it's not a viable career any more we will get drastically less of it.

The corvids are really bogarting this thing currently. #ThursJay 🪶

Massively chuffed to discover my online #ContentDesign training course recommended as a resource by the State of California's Office of Data and Innovation! It sits alongside absolutely fantastic advice and guidance: take a look, you might find sthing new to you. 📄 🙌 #GoodPractice #Training #UCD

WCAG in clear language. Someone’s finally done what we’ve all wanted to do. #ContentDesign #ServiceDesign #UCD

I have #content project availability again from Jan/Feb 2026, after completing current 2-monther. Looking for content #ProjectManagement (have managed redesigns + migrations as well as BAU), #ContentStrategy, lead/senior #ContentDesign and training/workshops provider roles. Here's my portfolio!

Noticed a great dishwasher status badge when I worked from office yesterday. Why don't dishwasher manufacturers build this useful feature in? 💡 A reveal/hide wheel for, for example: 'full', 'load me', 'in use', 'clean'. #ProductDesign

Data centres are energy hungry but what if we could use their waste heat to heat our homes? That's exactly what happens in places like Finland: Cities are tapping the vast amounts of waste heat generated by data centres, and feeding it into district-heating networks.

Reading Naomi Alderman's book on information crisis & sectionon how we are buried under unactionable news is interesting Previously we had discrete packages of news (morning paper, news at 6) and that was enough. The totality of stuff we could know but do nothing to change, regularly but finite 1/2

Why we must fight for routine prostate cancer screening. It saves lives; including mine Prostate cancer screenings are vital for its prevention, especially in a region with the highest percentage of metastatic prostate cancer northeastbylines.co.uk/news/health/...

I don't pretend our experiences fully speak for each other, either. When I need to differentiate, I usually do so with language on support needs, additional disability, or speaking status. Talking about amount or frequency of distressing symptoms can also be useful. Does any of this help?

Wondering about font design accessibility? I've done the research for you. 🔤 #Digital #Design #Typefaces #GraphicDesign #Content #Accessibility

Sharing this 3-way colour contrast checker recommended to me by @madebymarian.bsky.social. It was built by Nick Colley from an original design by Dave House.

Had a great time at the Cake and Bake Show in Olympia yesterday! Got some inspo for my forthcoming gingerbread house decorating... 😆 💖 👩‍🍳 🍪 🎀

User needs first Service design second Operating model third Technology fourth This order is still reversed way too often.

Starting a sentence "you can..." is not a magic bullet that makes your content user-centred. Learn some real #content #usability from my #UCD pathway course. Pre-Christmas is an expensive time, my course is on sale until 31 December. 🤶🏻 🛷

Going to start calling autocorrect "autocarrot". See how it likes it! 😄 🥕 #ContentLife #ContentDesign #ContentJokes

There is a suicide epidemic in the autistic community. We are 11x more likely to take our own lives. 35% have tried. Suicidal thoughts happen to most of us (66%) Let’s remember that & support each other and work together to fight the stigma against us neuronormative society.

Two new forest finance initiatives announced at COP30 — Brazil’s $6.7B TFFF and the Canopy Trust — put fresh focus on the Congo Basin. Norway, a major backer, says the real test is whether they deliver what communities need: direct finance, local ownership, and real benefits.

Pelis on a blue-sky day

Even #UCD mantras can be iterated! Let's replace the previous, containing harmful word use, with: "It's not over-simplifying, it's opening up!" Or maybe: "It's not over-simplifying, it's de-mystifying!" Choose #inclusive language and #accessible content techniques with my #ContentDesign pathway.

I stopped publishing on Medium awhile ago, partially because their leadership team didn't prioritize accessibility needs in the product. I also have seen a significant uptick in poorly reasoned content and AI-generated slop on Medium "publications," which really just takes away credibility imo.

If I see something done wrong I'm going to point it out – I really wouldn't feel I was doing my job as a consultant if I didn't. Sadly, teams so often take umbrage at the outsider sharing good practice advice. Even when it's about fixing some basics. A real shame! #UCD #content

'Suddenly exposed' DOGE employees fear prosecution after Musk abandoned them: report www.rawstory.com/doge-employe...

I have #content project availability again from Jan/Feb 2026, after completing current 2-monther. Looking for content #ProjectManagement (have managed redesigns + migrations as well as BAU), #ContentStrategy, lead/senior #ContentDesign and training/workshops provider roles. Here's my portfolio!

Wasabi cheese 😯

"More was never the answer. The answer, it turned out, was always less." In #ContentDesign as in life (and decluttering) haha! Quote from 'The Year of Less' by Cait Flanders.

On sale with 30% off at £60 until end of November, same for my #ContentDesign pathway! 🤩

The small but tiny publisher is me. I’ve self-published a manual on planning your interior spaces around tasks you do in the rooms, and a guide to user-centred intranets. Niche, but makes sense in the context of my UX design background. Thanks!

We are all being played | Robin Tudge

Swedish-Geordie couple launch Midsommar Bakery and cafe | North East Bylines

Researchers in Canada have documented a wild gray wolf hauling a crab trap out of the water to eat the bait inside, according to a recent study. Researchers suggest it may be the first recorded example of possible tool use by a wolf.

A #BirdOnAWire for #BirdOfTheDay. You can build a shelf nest for barn swallows: nestwatch.org/learn/all-ab... 📷🌿🪶

For the past 11 years I've been keeping an index of posts about #localGDS / #GDSLocal. I've just added the first for 2025, which is probably most significant. "People across UK to benefit from easier access to local services as councils get digital boost" github.com/LocalGovDigi... #localgov

I actually said at the time we should be in lockdown a week before we were. Told my V&A course tutor to consider advising us not to come in and didn’t attend myself. Also avoided a get together on other side of town even though it sounded great. #CovidReport

Gregg Treinish, founder of Adventure Scientists, has built a global network of trained volunteers who collect high-quality environmental data for researchers, agencies, and conservationists. His organization bridges the worlds of outdoor adventure and scientific rigor.

Looking for a comprehensive intro to user-centred design for yourself or a team? My #UCDPathwayCourse covers: • terminology • user needs • iterative design • inclusive design • bias • user research methods • digital transformation in context of digital accessibility • multidisciplinary teamwork

Sadly for me I am old enough to remember when tiny LCD displays were a new thing and manufacturers were sticking them in all kinds of random products, because they could. Someone gave me a ballpoint pen with a digital clock in it: no, really. Nuttin’ new under the sun.

Looking for examples of 'service veneers' where a solution has been plastered over a complex series of services with the promise of a streamlined better experience but hasn't done hard work to improve whole system. Think like 'life stage' digitised journeys or outcomes still being hard to meet

Had a long to do list of Saturday chores and done all but one! Even bought a dimmable light bulb. 😊

Looking for a comprehensive intro to user-centred design for yourself or a team? My #UCDPathwayCourse covers: • terminology • user needs • iterative design • inclusive design • bias • user research methods • digital transformation in context of digital accessibility • multidisciplinary teamwork

This is an element of the migration/asylum plans I suspect quite a few Labour MPs will find hardest to sign up to: if you come to the UK as a refugee you can never make your life here, but only ever exist in a state of limbo.

Slightly shocked that it costs £94.50 to renew a UK passport. 😯 That's online, at the standard rate with an approximately 3 week turnaround.

Anyone working in #DigitalTransformation and #UCD, give this a listen. I worked on Reform near start of digital justice – so awfully run I walked after 2 days. Being user-centred isn't just getting stuff onto screens. It's fixing all bugs, being careful. Not working in chaos to "get things done".

My #UCD Freelancers Directory is taking applications for 2026! We're now 60 professionals, come join us? Freelancers with 2 years+ UCD experience: • Apply by 31 Dec 2025. • Check on 15 Jan 2026 for your listing, email any edits. • Pay £20 annual subs by Ko-fi or PayPal. #UCDD #GetListed #Digital

Day: happens Cat: snores 😸 💤

Hmmm. From this it's not looking hugely rosy for my speciality I have to say, nor for my niece who's recently embarked on her 4 years of UAL graphic design studies. She is exceptionally good at it, and that's her tutors' views not just mine, but will that be enough?