Abstract:
This research increases understanding of the scope and potential of design as
resource in the context of government. Currently, there is limited knowledge and
use of tangible and intangible dimensions of design in government and its
potential remains unrealized. This despite designs established history of use,
evidence to support its economic, social, environmental, and political value and
encouragement from national and international bodies.
What design is and its capacity to contribute in government is explored in this
research. Accomplished through seven phases of investigations, the design-in-
government context is first established and then explored followed by an
examination of what design is and does within this context.
A mixed methods approach was employed involving a critical assessment of both
theoretical and empirical insights, including a scoping review, a focused review
of literature, interviews with practitioners and primary and secondary
observations of the design-in-government phenomena in practice. Interactions
with stakeholders, academia and industry at international engagements informed
the research process and evaluated study results incrementally over a 6-year
period from 2013-2019.
Results reveal a dimensional and holistic perspective of design as capability in
operation within a dynamic design-in-government system. Here the potential
exists for all facets of design to impact all areas of government simultaneously.
The establishment of the design-in-government conceptual framework and
definition of design for this context are also significant outcomes from this study.
Together they constitute constructs that contribute to the furtherance of the novel
field of research and practice with implications for design education and the
evolving design profession. Finally, the distinctive scoping review process from
this research contributes to the theoretical advancement of the methodology.