It was an educational week 160 for Martin. He spoke to product design students, policy design professors, and international domain protection colleagues. He also co-hosted an international webinar.
Meetup: Accessible for everyone
On 15 May, the ongoing ‘Öffentliches Gestalten’ series discussed ‘Accessible for everyone’ on Global Accessibility Awareness Day. Speakers included Danny Koppenhagen from DB Systel and Marion Couesnon and Susanne Henatschel from Digital Service. They demonstrated the German public sector’s efforts to design and develop the most inclusive products and services.
Week #159 at the Digital Service: Notes for 12–16 May 2025
Week 159 at DigitalService included Global Accessibility Awareness Day, for which Martin and colleagues set up the first version of an accessibility awareness and testing lab. Martin also co-ran 2 related events, internationally and locally.
Meetup: Checks & balances
On 2 April, the ongoing ‘Öffentliches Gestalten’ series discussed ‘Checks & balances’ – how we apply healthy scrutiny to strengthen trust in democracy and our current form of government. Speakers included Dr Niklas Kossow from CityLAB Berlin and Ann Cathrin Riedel from NExT.
Week #158 at the Digital Service: Notes for 5–9 May 2025
In week 158, the new government took over, and the first-ever Ministry for Digitalisation and State Reform was created. The minister was appointed and got a significant remit. Martin participated in roll-out and kick-off workshops for design systems and a cross-government brand. He also prepared events for the upcoming Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
Week #157 at the Digital Service: Notes for 28 April–2 May 2025
In week #157, Martin went on 2-day integral leadership training, participated in a Service Standard content review workshop and learned about the new incoming minister for digital.
Week #156 at the Digital Service: Notes for 21–25 April 2025
Martin recorded a podcast conversation on service design and the Service Standard in his week 156 at Digital Service. He also helped make a prototype for the new Service Standard home and planned the next peer reviews as well as forthcoming community events.
Week #155 at the Digital Service: Notes for 14–18 April 2025
Martin had a shorter week 155 at Digital Service. He participated in various content workshops, led a cross-government community event on automation and AI, and opened up new design roles.
Week #154 at the Digital Service: Notes for 7–11 April 2025
In week 154 at Digital Service, Martin travelled to Amsterdam for the 3-day User Needs First International Design in Government conference. He spoke, contributed to a podcast, recorded his colleagues’ sessions, had many conversations, and distributed the latest edition of The Service Gazette.
Week #153 at the Digital Service: Notes for 31 March–4 April 2025
In week #153 at Digital Service, Martin visited the DigitalAgentur Brandenburg, participated in a Service Standard content workshop, and wrapped up the latest Service Gazette.