The public sector—where the stakes are high, the systems are vast, and the users? Well, they’re everyone. Designing in this space isn’t just about creating pretty interfaces or delightful experiences (although those can be great). It’s about navigating a complex web of ethical considerations, from user privacy to inclusivity, ensuring that we’re building for everyone, not just a select few.

The public sector presents unique challenges and opportunities for designers. Outdated systems, a vast range of user demographics, and the need to comply with strict regulations make this field both demanding and rewarding. However, it’s also a space where ethical design choices can significantly impact society. From making public services accessible to protecting user privacy, the decisions we make as designers in the public sector shape how people interact with essential services.

Balancing privacy and inclusivity

When we talk about ethical design, we often find ourselves juggling two critical concepts: privacy and inclusivity. These are the pillars that uphold the integrity of any digital public sector service. After all, designing for the public isn’t just a design challenge—it’s a moral responsibility.

User privacy is paramount, especially when designing platforms that collect sensitive information. In today’s digital age, protecting data is about more than meeting legal requirements; it’s about building trust. People need to feel confident that their personal information is being handled with care, and designers play a crucial role in ensuring transparency. It’s not just about hiding away privacy policies in obscure corners of a website. Instead, it’s about designing interfaces that clearly explain how data is collected, used, and stored—without overwhelming users with legal jargon.

Think of it this way: designing a public healthcare platform requires collecting valuable data to provide efficient services. However, without careful thought, that same data could easily compromise user privacy. Designers must strike a balance between gathering the information needed to improve services and minimising the amount of personal data collected, all while ensuring users know exactly how their data is being protected.

But privacy isn’t the only concern. Inclusivity is equally important—arguably, even more so in the public sector. Public services are meant to serve the entire population, which means they need to work for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or background. Inclusivity goes beyond adding a screen reader or a high-contrast mode for the visually impaired. It’s about ensuring the design is intuitive for people with varying levels of digital literacy, that it can accommodate multiple languages, and that it’s accessible to individuals with cognitive impairments.

I’ve seen firsthand how small changes can make a significant impact in public sector design. Simplifying a form’s language or adding a few visual cues might seem minor, but for users with limited digital literacy or cognitive challenges, these adjustments can make all the difference between success and frustration. And that’s the heart of ethical design—it’s about ensuring equity in access, not just functionality.

The challenge of innovating in the public sector

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: legacy systems. If you’ve ever worked in public-sector design, you’ve likely encountered the frustration of trying to innovate within the confines of outdated infrastructure. It’s a challenge, to say the least. Modernising a system that was built decades ago feels a bit like trying to fix a ship while it’s still sailing. Yet, the limitations of legacy systems offer a unique opportunity for creativity.

How do we, as designers, create flexible and scalable designs within these constraints? How can we introduce modern, user-centred design principles into systems that are often resistant to change? These are the questions that keep public sector designers on their toes, but they also push us to find solutions that balance innovation with practicality.

One of the most critical components of this balancing act is advocating for user-centred design in an environment that doesn’t always prioritise it. The public sector tends to be slow-moving, burdened by bureaucracy and lengthy approval processes. However, this doesn’t mean we can’t make a difference. By working closely with stakeholders and pushing for ethical design practices, we can ensure that inclusivity and privacy aren’t just afterthoughts but central to the design process.

Designers as ethical advocates

Designers in the public sector have a unique role to play as advocates for ethical design. It’s not just about creating user-friendly interfaces; it’s about embedding ethics into every stage of the project, from the initial ideation phase to final implementation. To do this, collaboration is key. Designers must work alongside policymakers, developers, and stakeholders to ensure that ethical considerations, like data privacy and inclusivity, are integrated from the outset.

This advocacy also extends to the users themselves. Conducting user research with diverse audiences allows us to identify barriers and ensure that the final product is accessible to everyone, not just the tech-savvy or digitally literate. It’s about seeing beyond the average user and recognising the needs of those who are often left out of the conversation.

In the public sector, every design decision has the potential to impact millions of lives. That’s why ethical considerations can’t be an afterthought. Designers must be proactive in pushing for inclusivity, transparency, and user empowerment at every step of the process.

The future of ethical design in the public sector

As the public sector continues to evolve, so too must our approach to design. With technology advancing rapidly and user expectations changing just as quickly, the need for ethical, thoughtful design has never been more critical.

People are becoming increasingly aware of issues like data privacy and accessibility, and governments have the opportunity to lead by example. By prioritising ethical design practices, the public sector can set a standard that the private sector strives to meet.

Ultimately, ethical design in the public sector is about more than solving today’s problems. It’s about laying the groundwork for a future where digital services are accessible, inclusive, and trustworthy for everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from. The decisions we make today as designers in this space will have far-reaching consequences, shaping how future generations interact with public services.

In the end, the evolving digital landscape may bring new challenges, but it also offers the chance to build services that are not only functional and efficient but fair, respectful, and inclusive.