Design in the public sector: Toward a human centred model of public governance

In recent years, design has emerged as an approach to shaping public policies and services. However, how design works in the public sector has not been rigorously studied. This paper analyses 15 cases of design in the public sector to arrive at a theoretical characterization of design in the public sector that aligns with descriptions in non-public settings, with some differences. We also consider whether public design practices might signal the emergence of human centred models of public governance that offer new openings for creative influences and serve as a constructive counterbalance to more bureaucratic and analytical traditions.