‘The American public needs us now more than ever’: Government designers steel for regime change

Sweeping changes promised by the Trump administration imperil healthcare, climate policy, economic progress, social equity, and basic delivery of essential services. 

For long-time government designers like myself, they also pose an existential threat to our vocation.

“Everything we know about working in this world has the potential to be disrupted based on everything I’ve observed to be the philosophy on government from this incoming administration,” said one designer who runs a government contracting business. 

In the days following the U.S. election, I spoke with 10 designers from various agencies, branches, and levels of government, including both employees and contractors, to see whether their outlooks on public service have shifted and how they’re persevering in this time of political change.

For many of us, it’s a moment at once unprecedented and familiar: I’ve worked through shutdowns, navigated elections uncertain of job stability, and led a team of some 50 government-focused agency designers, helping us wend our way through a complex ecosystem.

What struck me then, as it does now, is the unflinching drive that so many government designers share to serve our true constituents — the American public — even in the face of upheaval.

Ahead, some highlights from our conversations. Identities have been kept anonymous to allow interviewees the chance to provide candid insights and constructive critiques while mitigating risks of political retaliation and job-related consequences.

Building on a lineage of service

Government design involves creating products, services, and experiences for the people governments serve. At its core, it aims to:

• Distinguish official platforms from fraudulent ones
• Simplify access to services and rightful benefits
• Ensure accessibility without compromising security
• Build clarity, satisfaction, and, where deserved, public trust

These efforts increasingly rely on human-centered, research-informed, and citizen-centric processes. From government websites to medical facilities and assistance programs, the goal is to meet the needs of all those who rely on them while fostering appropriate confidence in public systems.

“Not only is design a thing [in government], but you’re actively visualizing the experience that veterans are having transitioning into civilian life and navigating your internal systems,” explained one designer. “That’s inspiring. That’s design.”

And, most of all, that’s a necessity. 

“The American public needs us now more than ever — people who care about building an institution that works and that’s trustworthy,” said one designer who has worked across levels of government as an employee and contractor. 

Facing uncertainty

Like countless others, government designers are restlessly awaiting the beginning of the next U.S. administration and all it might mean for our democracy.

Beyond the threats the regime change poses to livelihoods, some are worried about material dangers to their families and communities. The prevailing anxiety centers on whether the government will be equipped to serve the public effectively. 

“What’s been signaled [by Trump] is a general skepticism of the value of government,” one contractor noted. “At least the impact that certain federal agencies have and their role in American society. So naturally, you start to worry about how much investment will be given toward certain federal civilian agencies like the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Consumer Financial Protection [Bureau].” 

President-elect Trump has frequently belittled government employees, labeling the federal workforce as “crooked” and “dishonest.” During his prior administration, he initiated efforts to remove employees deemed disloyal and left key positions unfilled. His rhetoric has since expanded to target individuals he considers overly critical or “woke,” reportedly including senior Pentagon officials.

A few designers I spoke with volunteered a nuanced response. Many believe such rhetoric is aimed primarily at federal agencies, particularly the executive branch. However, a few acknowledge the broader damage this may inflict on public trust in government at all levels.

“People really, deeply need to feel like they can trust their government,” said one seasoned designer who’s worried about backslides in the strides made in recent years toward human-centered government design.

Designers could play a role in preserving this trust. 

“Some of the [Trump] theories around removing people and saying the government is full of these ‘undesirables’ won’t play out when people need basic necessities,” one contractor said. “Somebody needs to make sure baby formula isn’t poisoned. Somebody needs to make sure the water is safe to drink. People need their passports processed.” 

Civil servants, including designers, shape and support this infrastructure. They collaborate across disciplines to fulfill essential duties, from food and water safety to public health protection, disaster relief coordination, and public service delivery. And they have done this for the public across administrations, regardless of the personal views of changing executive leadership. “While potential volatility should give us pause, it shouldn’t stop us from using our skills for the public good,” one government employee noted.

Responding with resilience, agility, and gumminess 

Despite potential disruptions from a future president — such as agency defunding or halted initiatives — many government designers are clinging to resilience and adaptability. In fact, their dedication to public service and the American people keeps them grounded in the face of this uncertainty, while their design expertise keeps them spry and creative about how they might serve out their professional missions in an ever-changing world.

Many are prepared to shift their efforts to different levels of government to sustain their critical work. “Over the next four years we will see local and state governments taking on more responsibility than ever before and hopefully partnering with communities in deeper ways to meet these emerging needs,” one state-level designer predicted.  

This sentiment was echoed by someone with experience across government levels. “My faith in local government has never been stronger. States have their own constitution and many of them have their own budgets,” they said. “There are levers for change all around us. We just have to look past some of the bullshit or crap that comes down from the top.”

One of those levers? Making good trouble. 

“The morning after the election, I realized that yes — I need to fight, and the best way to do that is to remain where I am and work as hard as possible to help wherever I can, and work to gum up any project that might cause harm to the public that comes my way,” one designer said. “I’ll deal with retaliation if it gets there.”

Illustration credit: Ashleigh Axios