Martin Jordan
@martinjordan.com
Making services work better for all people—Head of Design & User Research at the German govt’s Digital Service, previously Head of #ServiceDesign at the UK’s Government Digital Service, int’l #GovDesign community co-lead, 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 ally
martinjordan.com
martinjordan.com
Useful looking talk this Friday:
‘How to create content-informed personas for better UX’ — covering:
• Look at personas from a content lens
• Break down user tasks into content needs
• Identify content gaps
H/t @maredwards.bsky.social
#contentDesign #UX
‘How to create content-informed personas for better UX’ — covering:
• Look at personas from a content lens
• Break down user tasks into content needs
• Identify content gaps
H/t @maredwards.bsky.social
#contentDesign #UX
How to Create Content-Informed Personas for Better UX
UX and content strategists are struggling to be more relevant in the era of AI.
This lightning lesson gives participants an immediate and useful way to show how UX research becomes tangible content t...
maven.com
February 10, 2026 at 8:08 AM
Useful looking talk this Friday:
‘How to create content-informed personas for better UX’ — covering:
• Look at personas from a content lens
• Break down user tasks into content needs
• Identify content gaps
H/t @maredwards.bsky.social
#contentDesign #UX
‘How to create content-informed personas for better UX’ — covering:
• Look at personas from a content lens
• Break down user tasks into content needs
• Identify content gaps
H/t @maredwards.bsky.social
#contentDesign #UX
Earliest public services ever?
The Government of Barbados 🇧🇧 has made 12 services publicly available at an alpha stage, acknowledging that they will still change significantly in the coming months.
@amymcnichol.bsky.social from @publicdigital.bsky.social & Mark Boyce sharing more in their blog post
The Government of Barbados 🇧🇧 has made 12 services publicly available at an alpha stage, acknowledging that they will still change significantly in the coming months.
@amymcnichol.bsky.social from @publicdigital.bsky.social & Mark Boyce sharing more in their blog post
12 services are live on alpha.gov.bb!
You can now use 12 government services on alpha.gov.bb! Check them out here: Get a copy of a birth certificate Get a copy of a marriage certificate Get a copy of a death certificate Register for Jo…
govtechbarbados.wordpress.com
February 10, 2026 at 8:02 AM
Earliest public services ever?
The Government of Barbados 🇧🇧 has made 12 services publicly available at an alpha stage, acknowledging that they will still change significantly in the coming months.
@amymcnichol.bsky.social from @publicdigital.bsky.social & Mark Boyce sharing more in their blog post
The Government of Barbados 🇧🇧 has made 12 services publicly available at an alpha stage, acknowledging that they will still change significantly in the coming months.
@amymcnichol.bsky.social from @publicdigital.bsky.social & Mark Boyce sharing more in their blog post
In the works! Technical issues we are addressing right now
February 9, 2026 at 5:57 PM
In the works! Technical issues we are addressing right now
As a public servant, I write weekly notes to let people see what I do.
#ServiceStandard work continued in my week 197, with more guidance published, more interaction #design and content support arriving, and #serviceQuality work soon involving big citizen workshops.
(👋🏻 @weeknotes-bot.bsky.social)
#ServiceStandard work continued in my week 197, with more guidance published, more interaction #design and content support arriving, and #serviceQuality work soon involving big citizen workshops.
(👋🏻 @weeknotes-bot.bsky.social)
Week #197 at the Digital Service: Notes for 2–6 February
Service Standard work continued in Martin’s week 197, with more guidance published, more interaction design and content support arriving, and service quality work soon involving citizen workshops. Mar...
verwaltungsgestaltung.de
February 8, 2026 at 9:11 PM
As a public servant, I write weekly notes to let people see what I do.
#ServiceStandard work continued in my week 197, with more guidance published, more interaction #design and content support arriving, and #serviceQuality work soon involving big citizen workshops.
(👋🏻 @weeknotes-bot.bsky.social)
#ServiceStandard work continued in my week 197, with more guidance published, more interaction #design and content support arriving, and #serviceQuality work soon involving big citizen workshops.
(👋🏻 @weeknotes-bot.bsky.social)
Oh, wow, a perfect February! I didn’t think of it. I like.
February 8, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Oh, wow, a perfect February! I didn’t think of it. I like.
Some of the insights presented in @paulpistorius.bsky.social’s Amsterdam talk informed another piece of guidance on ‘Collect and evaluate information for the form questions’:
servicestandard.gov.de/handbuch/anl...
4/X
servicestandard.gov.de/handbuch/anl...
4/X
Informationen für die Abfrage im Formular sammeln und auswerten
Wie Sie Informationen für die Abfrage sammeln und auswerten, um Formulare für Nutzende zu gestalten.
servicestandard.gov.de
February 8, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Some of the insights presented in @paulpistorius.bsky.social’s Amsterdam talk informed another piece of guidance on ‘Collect and evaluate information for the form questions’:
servicestandard.gov.de/handbuch/anl...
4/X
servicestandard.gov.de/handbuch/anl...
4/X
The guidance was written by my colleague @paulpistorius.bsky.social, building on his experience working on various justice services and related forms over the past 3 years.
Paul talked about his work on forms and how to invite the right parties at last year‘s Amsterdam #GovDesign conference.
3/X
Paul talked about his work on forms and how to invite the right parties at last year‘s Amsterdam #GovDesign conference.
3/X
Triangle of success – involving the right parties in the form design process
YouTube video by UK Gov Design
www.youtube.com
February 8, 2026 at 3:23 PM
The guidance was written by my colleague @paulpistorius.bsky.social, building on his experience working on various justice services and related forms over the past 3 years.
Paul talked about his work on forms and how to invite the right parties at last year‘s Amsterdam #GovDesign conference.
3/X
Paul talked about his work on forms and how to invite the right parties at last year‘s Amsterdam #GovDesign conference.
3/X
The guidance on ‘designing forms with clear questions’ is the longest of the 3 newly published pages.
It comes with concrete dos and don’ts, backed by real-world examples.
The content is much in line with content from UK and US government colleagues.
servicestandard.gov.de/handbuch/anl...
2/X
It comes with concrete dos and don’ts, backed by real-world examples.
The content is much in line with content from UK and US government colleagues.
servicestandard.gov.de/handbuch/anl...
2/X
February 8, 2026 at 3:23 PM
The guidance on ‘designing forms with clear questions’ is the longest of the 3 newly published pages.
It comes with concrete dos and don’ts, backed by real-world examples.
The content is much in line with content from UK and US government colleagues.
servicestandard.gov.de/handbuch/anl...
2/X
It comes with concrete dos and don’ts, backed by real-world examples.
The content is much in line with content from UK and US government colleagues.
servicestandard.gov.de/handbuch/anl...
2/X
#FixTheForms, as @cjforms.bsky.social puts it.
In the absence of universal standards within German government for what constitutes good #formDesign, we published 3 new pieces of guidance to address this void.
You find them in the handbook section of the German #ServiceStandard website.
1/X
In the absence of universal standards within German government for what constitutes good #formDesign, we published 3 new pieces of guidance to address this void.
You find them in the handbook section of the German #ServiceStandard website.
1/X
February 8, 2026 at 3:23 PM
#FixTheForms, as @cjforms.bsky.social puts it.
In the absence of universal standards within German government for what constitutes good #formDesign, we published 3 new pieces of guidance to address this void.
You find them in the handbook section of the German #ServiceStandard website.
1/X
In the absence of universal standards within German government for what constitutes good #formDesign, we published 3 new pieces of guidance to address this void.
You find them in the handbook section of the German #ServiceStandard website.
1/X
Well done! Congrats, Steve! 🥳
February 7, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Well done! Congrats, Steve! 🥳
Lifting a #govTech newspaper made my heart jump a little!
Cause there is an unseen consistency in the government domains listed – referencing 2 .gov.de subdomains.
As a small team at @digitalservice.bund.de has been supporting the pilot phase of the cross-gov’t identity and design system since May
Cause there is an unseen consistency in the government domains listed – referencing 2 .gov.de subdomains.
As a small team at @digitalservice.bund.de has been supporting the pilot phase of the cross-gov’t identity and design system since May
February 6, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Lifting a #govTech newspaper made my heart jump a little!
Cause there is an unseen consistency in the government domains listed – referencing 2 .gov.de subdomains.
As a small team at @digitalservice.bund.de has been supporting the pilot phase of the cross-gov’t identity and design system since May
Cause there is an unseen consistency in the government domains listed – referencing 2 .gov.de subdomains.
As a small team at @digitalservice.bund.de has been supporting the pilot phase of the cross-gov’t identity and design system since May
And what is, in your experience, the most effective way to convince organisations to hire the right type of designer?
February 5, 2026 at 5:22 PM
And what is, in your experience, the most effective way to convince organisations to hire the right type of designer?
#DesignJob klaxon 🔔
A new #UX specialist position has opened at the tax and revenue office in Kassel. The role is open until 15 February 2026.
4 more roles are currently listed on my German #GovDesign job board – at @bundestag.de, DRV BW, Bay. LKA:
👇🏻
verwaltungsgestaltung.de#positionen
A new #UX specialist position has opened at the tax and revenue office in Kassel. The role is open until 15 February 2026.
4 more roles are currently listed on my German #GovDesign job board – at @bundestag.de, DRV BW, Bay. LKA:
👇🏻
verwaltungsgestaltung.de#positionen
February 5, 2026 at 11:39 AM
#DesignJob klaxon 🔔
A new #UX specialist position has opened at the tax and revenue office in Kassel. The role is open until 15 February 2026.
4 more roles are currently listed on my German #GovDesign job board – at @bundestag.de, DRV BW, Bay. LKA:
👇🏻
verwaltungsgestaltung.de#positionen
A new #UX specialist position has opened at the tax and revenue office in Kassel. The role is open until 15 February 2026.
4 more roles are currently listed on my German #GovDesign job board – at @bundestag.de, DRV BW, Bay. LKA:
👇🏻
verwaltungsgestaltung.de#positionen
This work incorporates rich international learnings, including from:
• Government Digital Service (work @louiseamymiller.bsky.social and I did in 2018/19)
• New South Wales Government
• @oecdgovernance.bsky.social
• @theschoolofgood.bsky.social & @loudowne.bsky.social
3/X
• Government Digital Service (work @louiseamymiller.bsky.social and I did in 2018/19)
• New South Wales Government
• @oecdgovernance.bsky.social
• @theschoolofgood.bsky.social & @loudowne.bsky.social
3/X
February 5, 2026 at 9:35 AM
This work incorporates rich international learnings, including from:
• Government Digital Service (work @louiseamymiller.bsky.social and I did in 2018/19)
• New South Wales Government
• @oecdgovernance.bsky.social
• @theschoolofgood.bsky.social & @loudowne.bsky.social
3/X
• Government Digital Service (work @louiseamymiller.bsky.social and I did in 2018/19)
• New South Wales Government
• @oecdgovernance.bsky.social
• @theschoolofgood.bsky.social & @loudowne.bsky.social
3/X
As part of the Federal Modernisation Agenda, we ran a 2-day workshop in mid-January with colleagues from local, state and federal levels of government.
In February, 3 citizen workshops in Berlin, Cologne and Erfurt will gather input from 90 people.
We have also built on related int’l work.
2/X
In February, 3 citizen workshops in Berlin, Cologne and Erfurt will gather input from 90 people.
We have also built on related int’l work.
2/X
February 5, 2026 at 9:35 AM
As part of the Federal Modernisation Agenda, we ran a 2-day workshop in mid-January with colleagues from local, state and federal levels of government.
In February, 3 citizen workshops in Berlin, Cologne and Erfurt will gather input from 90 people.
We have also built on related int’l work.
2/X
In February, 3 citizen workshops in Berlin, Cologne and Erfurt will gather input from 90 people.
We have also built on related int’l work.
2/X
Government services that deliver for people – that’s the focus of a new workstream of the Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation & Government Modernisation, which we are supporting.
Through wide-ranging participation, we’re defining what makes a #goodService.
bmds.bund.de/themen/staat...
1/X
Through wide-ranging participation, we’re defining what makes a #goodService.
bmds.bund.de/themen/staat...
1/X
February 5, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Government services that deliver for people – that’s the focus of a new workstream of the Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation & Government Modernisation, which we are supporting.
Through wide-ranging participation, we’re defining what makes a #goodService.
bmds.bund.de/themen/staat...
1/X
Through wide-ranging participation, we’re defining what makes a #goodService.
bmds.bund.de/themen/staat...
1/X
Microsoft launched its #InclusiveDesign website
It includes plenty of great resources for people who want to design accessible products and services, including tools and powerful real-life stories
inclusive.microsoft.design
Well done, @annaecook.com and team!
It includes plenty of great resources for people who want to design accessible products and services, including tools and powerful real-life stories
inclusive.microsoft.design
Well done, @annaecook.com and team!
Microsoft Inclusive Design
Microsoft Inclusive Design is a practice that anyone who creates and manages products and services can use to build more inclusive experiences for everyone. Get the principles, guidebooks, workshop to...
inclusive.microsoft.design
February 5, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Microsoft launched its #InclusiveDesign website
It includes plenty of great resources for people who want to design accessible products and services, including tools and powerful real-life stories
inclusive.microsoft.design
Well done, @annaecook.com and team!
It includes plenty of great resources for people who want to design accessible products and services, including tools and powerful real-life stories
inclusive.microsoft.design
Well done, @annaecook.com and team!
It might do precisely the opposite
February 4, 2026 at 5:55 PM
It might do precisely the opposite
Big mistake from #LinkedIn – limiting the number of personalised invitations to 3 per month.
This only results in worse interactions on the platform and decontextualised requests – which I personally always decline.
This only results in worse interactions on the platform and decontextualised requests – which I personally always decline.
February 4, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Big mistake from #LinkedIn – limiting the number of personalised invitations to 3 per month.
This only results in worse interactions on the platform and decontextualised requests – which I personally always decline.
This only results in worse interactions on the platform and decontextualised requests – which I personally always decline.
I wondered the same.
It could also be the overall job market uncertainty and current economic situation, where zooming out and working to connect the dots through lots of slow, arduous work gets deprioritised in favour of flickering features—quick outputs over transformative outcomes.
It could also be the overall job market uncertainty and current economic situation, where zooming out and working to connect the dots through lots of slow, arduous work gets deprioritised in favour of flickering features—quick outputs over transformative outcomes.
February 4, 2026 at 4:54 PM
I wondered the same.
It could also be the overall job market uncertainty and current economic situation, where zooming out and working to connect the dots through lots of slow, arduous work gets deprioritised in favour of flickering features—quick outputs over transformative outcomes.
It could also be the overall job market uncertainty and current economic situation, where zooming out and working to connect the dots through lots of slow, arduous work gets deprioritised in favour of flickering features—quick outputs over transformative outcomes.
Via a #MegaMentor link on my website, people can book time to speak with me.
I’ll do my best to answer their questions, give advice, and provide feedback.
For the past 6 years or so, I’ve made over a hundred calls.
calendly.com/martinjordan
I’ll do my best to answer their questions, give advice, and provide feedback.
For the past 6 years or so, I’ve made over a hundred calls.
calendly.com/martinjordan
February 4, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Via a #MegaMentor link on my website, people can book time to speak with me.
I’ll do my best to answer their questions, give advice, and provide feedback.
For the past 6 years or so, I’ve made over a hundred calls.
calendly.com/martinjordan
I’ll do my best to answer their questions, give advice, and provide feedback.
For the past 6 years or so, I’ve made over a hundred calls.
calendly.com/martinjordan
It’s tough being a junior service designer entering the market.
I just talked to a recent graduate who is looking across Europe and even internationally.
They didn’t find much. They don’t want to apply for slightly more common junior #UX design roles, given they completed their #serviceDesign MA.
I just talked to a recent graduate who is looking across Europe and even internationally.
They didn’t find much. They don’t want to apply for slightly more common junior #UX design roles, given they completed their #serviceDesign MA.
February 4, 2026 at 2:49 PM
It’s tough being a junior service designer entering the market.
I just talked to a recent graduate who is looking across Europe and even internationally.
They didn’t find much. They don’t want to apply for slightly more common junior #UX design roles, given they completed their #serviceDesign MA.
I just talked to a recent graduate who is looking across Europe and even internationally.
They didn’t find much. They don’t want to apply for slightly more common junior #UX design roles, given they completed their #serviceDesign MA.
“In addition, a significant portion of the population is capable of using correct language—in my opinion, a ‘downward automatism’ sends the wrong signal and is almost hostile to education”, they argued.
Plain language is not about dumbing down, but opening up.
@escmum.bsky.social has good notes
Plain language is not about dumbing down, but opening up.
@escmum.bsky.social has good notes
Thoughts on the 'dumbing down' content argument
If you make your content easy to read, you aren’t ‘dumbing down’, you are opening up your information to anyone who wants to read it.
contentdesign.london
February 4, 2026 at 9:55 AM
“In addition, a significant portion of the population is capable of using correct language—in my opinion, a ‘downward automatism’ sends the wrong signal and is almost hostile to education”, they argued.
Plain language is not about dumbing down, but opening up.
@escmum.bsky.social has good notes
Plain language is not about dumbing down, but opening up.
@escmum.bsky.social has good notes
How is your day going so far?
I sent a colleague this classic GDS #contentDesign poster after a ministerial stakeholder argued that against “every coarsening and simplification of language, because the state should use correct (and, where applicable, legal) terms”
1/X
I sent a colleague this classic GDS #contentDesign poster after a ministerial stakeholder argued that against “every coarsening and simplification of language, because the state should use correct (and, where applicable, legal) terms”
1/X
February 4, 2026 at 9:55 AM
How is your day going so far?
I sent a colleague this classic GDS #contentDesign poster after a ministerial stakeholder argued that against “every coarsening and simplification of language, because the state should use correct (and, where applicable, legal) terms”
1/X
I sent a colleague this classic GDS #contentDesign poster after a ministerial stakeholder argued that against “every coarsening and simplification of language, because the state should use correct (and, where applicable, legal) terms”
1/X
Context is key, indeed.
If people read from high (F1) to low-level (waiting area 251), it might well work.
I would like to see more people navigate with it – without it, it’s hard to judge.
On the positive side, people commissioning this made an effort. Whether it pays out is a little unclear.
If people read from high (F1) to low-level (waiting area 251), it might well work.
I would like to see more people navigate with it – without it, it’s hard to judge.
On the positive side, people commissioning this made an effort. Whether it pays out is a little unclear.
February 2, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Context is key, indeed.
If people read from high (F1) to low-level (waiting area 251), it might well work.
I would like to see more people navigate with it – without it, it’s hard to judge.
On the positive side, people commissioning this made an effort. Whether it pays out is a little unclear.
If people read from high (F1) to low-level (waiting area 251), it might well work.
I would like to see more people navigate with it – without it, it’s hard to judge.
On the positive side, people commissioning this made an effort. Whether it pays out is a little unclear.