Course Description
The most pressing issues facing cities are complex - they are no longer addressable by a single way of thinking. We are asked to do more with less, especially in this time of hardship and uncertainty. More than ever, we need solutions in government that resonate with citizens.
This course will equip public servants with the tools they need to solve big problems. You will learn how to identify opportunities for innovation, gather insights on the problem you are solving, design effective solutions, and measure the impact of your work. Every public servant, from front line workers to executive leaders, should be equipped with these skills.
Once you learn this design process, there is no problem too big to solve. It can be repeated to create products, services, and systems - inside and outside of government. The health of our communities depends on our ability to solve hard problems. This introduction to civic design will equip you with all of the tools you need to be an agent of change in your community.
This course is six modules that are paced over six weeks. It also includes a weekly, optional live Zoom session with the instructor and cohort members.
Course Preview
Course Curriculum
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this course designed for?
This course is for people working in government, philanthropy, or the private sector who want to be agents of change in their communities. It is designed to give you the essential tools you need to develop solutions to problems facing cities. Whether you design programs or work on the front lines to deliver them, this course will help you develop the skills to improve your area of work and measure the long term impact of it.
How much time will I need to commit to this course?
This course is best paced over six weeks. You will need to commit 2-3 hours of independent work per week for each module to work through the material and complete the assignments. There is also an optional 1 hour live Zoom class each week.
Why would my employer pay for me to take this course?
The ability to creatively solve problems and create long term impact is extremely valuable to employers - especially now. Every day, we are asked to do more with less. Developing your skills as a civic designer unlocks the possibility to meet this challenge by building smart, innovative solutions to hard problems.
Hi, I’m Alex.
I am a civic designer and social entrepreneur. In 2014, I founded Cities Reimagined, a civic design firm that employs principles of design to solve complex challenges in urban cities. I am a graduate of the London School of Economics with a Master’s Degree in Cities. People know me as a relentless optimist, someone who gets things done, and can bring even the most divisive groups together around a shared mission.
After completing undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, I spent a few years working as a social worker with at-risk mothers and their babies. On one memorable occasion at the Department of Social Services, I watched my client wrestle a food stamps application so long that it touched the floor. From that moment on, I have been obsessed with solving civic problems by placing users at the center of the design process.
My background in business gives me a knack for developing urban solutions that work for people, planet, and profit. I believe that the future of cities lives in this triple bottom line framework.
When I'm not rapid prototyping and playing design games with clients, I am learning to play fiddle in the Johnston Family Band.
I am excited to join you on this journey and introduce you to the power of civic design.