I’m on a mission to bring more compassion into the world because it needs it. I do this through Service Design.
Projects
how i do things
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Think
Before jumping into solutions, I step back and ask. What’s really going on here? I challenge assumptions, look for unspoken truths, and seek clarity in complexity. Every project begins by defining the core problem not just at face value, and in the context of human experiences, systems, & unseen barriers
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Experiment
My research focus’ on data collection but more so about feeling the landscape. I listen between the lines, noticing contradictions, tensions, & patterns that others might overlook. I piece together fragmented experiences to reveal underlying truths & opportunities for change small or large
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Imagine
I believe the best solutions emerge through co-creation, iteration, & play. By engaging people directly in shaping their own futures, I ensure that solutions are meaningful, empowering, & built to last. This stage is about making ideas tangible testing, refining, & questioning until we find what truly resonates
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Go
A great idea is only as powerful as its execution. I lead teams through the messy reality of implementation, ensuring that solutions stay true to their intent while adapting to constraints. This phase focuses on aligning people, communicating clearly whilst staying agile in the face of change
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Explore
In addition to GDS Agile working and Design Councils Double Diamond when applicable I use my own method. I like to use this phase in bewteen each method to ensure the art of creativity is not lost
DESIGN PROCESS
I work at the intersection of intuition, empathy, & structure balancing deep listening with strategic thinking to uncover meaningful solutions. My approach is fluid, rooted in human connection, & driven by a desire to bridge gaps, whether in knowledge, communication, or understanding
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Think
Design Briefs that shape a clear, adaptable vision
Create research plans structuring exploration with room for emergent insights
Ethnographic research for understanding lived experiences firsthand
Observations that pick up on what’s not being said
Sensemaking workshops by bringing stakeholders together to align perspectives
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Experiment
User research by indepth conversations that go beyond surface level insights
Stakeholder mapping to understanding influence, relationships & systemic barriers
Journey mapping so seeing the full picture of experiences & friction points
Design principles if none establishing guiding values based on real needs
Participatory sensemaking by bringing people together to co-interpret findings
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Imagine:
Storyboarding and visualizing possibilities in ways that feel real
Co-design workshops designing alongside the people most impacted and involve them from the start
Prototyping by making ideas real, fast
Concept sketches exploring without overcommitting to a single direction
Usability & accessibility testing learning through interaction & constant feedback
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Go
Service blueprinting mapping the ecosystem for seamless execution
Customer strategy for ensuring long term impact, not just a one off fix
Experience journeys keeping the human at the center of every touchpoint
Iterative testing by llearning & refining as we go
Storytelling using narrative to make solutions stick (not the nasty salesman kind)
What I bring to the table
Radical Clarity
Making the complex feel simple, not oversimplified
Guided by Experience, Open to Discovery
Learning from patterns, but never assuming the outcome
Balancing Structure & Intuition
Knowing when to map, when to wander
Deep Listening, Honest Reflection
Tuning into the unspoken & addressing the real
Co-Creation Over Prescription
People should feel agency in shaping their own futures
How I See the World
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RIDS
SERVICE DESIGNER DAY
CHANGE MAKER NIGHT
RIDS identifies as a global citizen, with her experiences across numerous countries providing her with a unique perspective. This allows her to navigate cultural barriers with sensitivity, bringing the distinct value of each culture and human essence to the forefront of her work. -
WORK
Rids' career has been driven by a passion for humanitarian causes, enhanced by experience in strategy, advertising, & a brief stint in accounting (which she prefers not to dwell on). She holds a BA in Art History & Visual Culture, as well as an MA in Service Design, with a keen interest in speculative design, wicked problems, and future oriented frameworks.
She’s had the privilege of practicing Service Design with the Labs design & innovation team at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, where she’s been shaking up the status quo. Having recently completed this role, she’s now seeking a new challenge!!
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vision
In addition to her primary role, Rids is a trustee for Project Love & actively mentors through ADP List & the Service Design communities with her Royal College of Art colleagues & the Royal Society of Arts pool of talent. She is deeply passionate about giving back, with a long term goal of bettering future generations because why not leave the world a little better than we found it?
Rids is driven to achieve this by infusing compassion into the foundational stages of the design process, focusing on humanizing the world, one industry at a time. (She's still working on the operating model it’s an iterative process.) Her motivation is fueled by looking beyond the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, aspiring toward the 2050 Anthropocene goals as the next frontier once the SDGs are realized
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MODUS OPERANDI
Rids thrives on simplifying complex problems and stripping away jargon making everything accessible. She places the human at the forefront of decision making, always designing with, not for. As a natural connector & catalyst for conversation and collaboration, she excels in fostering fair team dynamics, ensuring everyone, especially those often overlooked, has the space to share their thoughts
A maverick & creative disruptor, Rids enjoys bringing a touch of fun into her practice, embracing her divergent thinking. She aspires to leave a lasting mark on the world as a compassionate listener, with a big heart for everyone who crosses her path, both professionally & personally
My principles
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The world needs more understanding, and I’m here to bring it
COMPASSION FIRST
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Honesty, directness, & integrity over empty words
SAY WHAT YOU MEAN
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I welcome being pushed beyond my comfort zone because it makes me better
GROWING THROUGH CHALLENGES
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If I stand with you, I stand with you fully
LOYAL TO A FAULT
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NOT about looking good; making a real difference
IMPACT OVER EGO
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I take things apart (sometimes literally) to understand them better
CURIOSITY FUELS INNOVATION
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I’m a work in progress & THIS IS exactly where I should be
EMBRACE THE UNFINISHED
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strangers are stories waiting to be shared
CONNECT ALWAYS
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Every system, service, or idea should serve people first
DESIGN FOR HUMANITY
DESCRIBE ME IN A SENTENCE