Design makes the citizen experience clear
Transparency
Illustration by Oliver Munday
Design can strengthen democracy by building trust in the communication between government and the governed. Trust emerges from understanding; design is a critical intermediary in making the complex clear and enhancing understanding. In most of the interactions between government and its citizens, there is an exchange of information. Communication design can simplify and clarify this process; designers can also design service experiences that are more effective, more comprehensible and more efficient. AIGA is deeply involved in initiatives to encourage government use of designers to improve democracy and to demonstrate the power of design.