{"id":18479,"date":"2023-02-08T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-08T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/techforgood.cymru\/resource\/design-more-important-than-digital-for-charities\/"},"modified":"2024-09-24T08:14:01","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T07:14:01","slug":"design-more-important-than-digital-for-charities","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/promo.cymru\/cy\/resource-articles\/design-more-important-than-digital-for-charities\/","title":{"rendered":"Why design is more important than digital for charities"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pre-Covid-19 we talked a lot about \u2018charity digital\u2019 and \u2018online service delivery\u2019. <\/p>\n

Since Covid-19 we’ve been talking even more. Because, as a sector, we\u2019ve turned enmasse to digital to solve our pandemic-induced service challenges. <\/p>\n

Challenging. Purposeful. Amazing<\/a>. <\/p>\n

However we don\u2019t talk much about design<\/em><\/a>. <\/p>\n

Probably we should. Because good digital always relies on good design. On its own digital is not enough. <\/p>\n

This blog will help you understand why design is more important than digital and move you towards thinking \u2018design first\u2019 rather than \u2018digital first\u2019.<\/p>\n

Digital is not design<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Digital is a tool for carrying out tasks and processes. For doing jobs. Design is not the tool. It\u2019s a process, a way of thinking, an approach to creating and iterating the right tool and the right service.<\/p>\n

You can \u2018do digital\u2019 to solve a problem without thinking about design. But if you do you\u2019ll end up with a poor solution.<\/p>\n

Design is the process for guiding the what and the how of digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cDesign is a process, a way of creating services so users can solve a problem, complete tasks and achieve a goal.\u201d <\/em>– Maddy Stark, Digital Development Worker, SCVO<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Digital is amazing. But it doesn\u2019t always work out for the best. The sector\u2019s past is littered with failed digital projects.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s OK because failure is allowed<\/a>. We need to get used to failing more often. But failing isn\u2019t so great when we know we didn\u2019t spend enough time on design.<\/p>\n

Design makes the difference. It provides the structure and processes to help people work together to really understand a problem. It helps you solve the right problem in the right way, using less money, with better user adoption. <\/p>\n

It reduces the risk of getting things \u2018wrong\u2019. You might even find you don\u2019t need as much of an expensive or complicated solution as you think, or that you don\u2019t even need digital at all.<\/p>\n

Design is a way to solve problems<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cWho are the people using our services? What do they need? Are we answering those needs?\u201d. <\/em>– Melody Butcher, Design Research Consultant, Graft Global<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Design is the bridge between your charity\u2019s challenges, your users\u2019 problems and the solution. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s the cautionary voice telling you to carry out user research<\/a> and investigate your assumptions first.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the reminder to focus on the problem first, and the solution second.<\/p>\n

It’s the invitation to build empathy with your users.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the hand to guide you through a solution\u2019s concepts, tests, and iterations.<\/p>\n

It’s the rigour to check and challenge your (and your users\u2019) biases and assumptions.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the invitation to look at the background and foreground processes<\/a> needed to make your service work.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the waymarker that lets you know you\u2019ve found a viable solution you can feel confident about.<\/p>\n

Design comes in different clothing<\/strong><\/h2>\n

But it\u2019s the same body underneath. There\u2019s different definitions but in the end they overlap with one another. <\/p>\n

User-centred design<\/strong><\/h3>\n

An iterative design process in which designers focus on the users and their needs in each phase of the design process. Same as human centred design, but less generic and more focused on the design of digital services and interfaces for specific users.<\/p>\n

Human-centred design<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Same as user-centred design, but often used to talk about the design of everyday things. Usually informed by the general characteristics and peculiarities of human psychology and perception rather than specific user needs.<\/p>\n

Service design<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A way of thinking about and working intentionally to improve the experience of those who interact with your organisation. So you can solve their problems better digitally or in person. <\/p>\n

Follows the same principles as user-centred design. Thinks about:<\/p>\n