The August episode of the Government Digital Service (GDS) Podcast is all about content design. This is the process of distilling complex information in a clear, unambiguous and easy to understand format. A content designer’s work makes sure that user needs sit at the heart of all government services.
Amanda Diamond, Head of GDS Content Design and Head of the Cross-government Content Community, and Ben Hazell, Content Product Lead (GOV.UK Programme) at GDS, are this month's guests. They tell Laura Stevens, Creative Content Producer at GDS, about what content design entails, its origins at GDS, how its evolving as a discipline and their work.
The episode includes a clip from Agnieszka Murdoch, Content Learning Designer at GDS, on the Introduction to content design course. The online course launched in May this year following a pilot in 2019. An incredible 11,000 learners signed up to the first course, and it will run again this September.
Register to join the next cohort for Introduction to content design on FutureLearn and apply for our current content designer role.
You can subscribe to the GDS podcast on Apple Music, Spotify and all other major podcast platforms.
You can read a transcript of the episode on Podbean.
20 comments
Comment by Daniel Lee posted on
Hi,
Thank you for posting this. I hope you don't mind if I reference this on my site https://strategyst.co.uk/ ?
Comment by The GDS Team posted on
Hi Daniel,
That shouldn't be an issue.
Thanks,
The GDS Team
Comment by Rob posted on
This is very useful, an excellent podcast and very insightful overview good content, I will feature it on my companies digital blog to help spread it - https://www.netzen.co.uk
Comment by Amine Dahimene posted on
Very insightful discussion, if you don’t mind to reference my website https://aminedahimene.com/
This is a good source for my next post and references the podcast and what it’s bees said, with regards to digital transformation and content design packaging.
Comment by The GDS Team posted on
Hi Amine,
We're pleased to hear you find the discussion insightful and that they've inspired some of your upcoming work.
Thanks,
The GDS Team
Comment by Dave S. posted on
Came here to comment that the music is very distracting, which is ironic as the topic addresses content design and accessibility!!
Hopefully you'll take onboard and remove the background music altogether during the main discussions
Comment by The GDS Team posted on
Hi Dave,
We have taken this feedback on board and will ensure that future podcasts will not have such issues.
Thank,
The GDS Team
Comment by Michael Ryan posted on
Hey,
Loving the podcast series, keep the good work up!
I'm going to write a round up over the next week if your interested in having a read 🙂 It will be on my blog here : https://www.michaelryanseo.co.uk/
Mike
Comment by Sal posted on
Hello, I second the request to remove the music entirely. I have ADHD and find it hard to concentrate when there is any background noise. I love the wisdom contained in the podcast but I had to switch it off as the music was so distracting. I felt like I was stuck in a lift with the music on. I'm sure this is just an oversight as GDS are very accessibility aware and even discuss this in the podcast. Thanks for taking this into consideration and keep up the good work.
Comment by The GDS Team posted on
Hi Sally,
We have taken this feedback on board and will ensure that future podcasts will not have such issues.
Thanks,
The GDS Team
Comment by Sal posted on
Excellent, I really appreciate that.
Comment by Daniel Foley posted on
Hi Simon,
I have clicked this link > <a href="https://governmentdigitalservice.podbean.com/e/government-digital-service-podcast-22-content-design/">https://governmentdigitalservice.podbean.com/e/government-digital-service-podcast-22-content-design/</a> and I get a 404?
Comment by The GDS Team posted on
Hi Daniel,
You should find the podcast at this link without any issues.
Thanks,
The GDS Team
Comment by Daniel Foley posted on
Hi Simon
That's worked thank you! do you mind if I reference this from my website https://www.danielfoley.co.uk ?
I am looking to create a post on how content design is intrinsic to digital transformation and end user personas. I liked Amanda's comments on content maps and packaging up information for end users.
I wanted to drop a link and quote to the podcast if that's OK?
- Daniel
Comment by The GDS Team posted on
Hi Daniel,
Yes, you can reference the podcast and what is said in it.
Thanks,
The GDS Team
Comment by Simon posted on
Hi - really enjoy the podcast series. Interesting and informative - but the background music in the Content Design episode is really distracting. Any chance it could be turned off or turned down for future episodes?
Comment by The GDS Team posted on
Hi Simon,
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We've uploaded a different version with the music turned down.
Thanks,
The GDS Team
Comment by Richard posted on
+1 This really needs to be turned off/faded out after the intro, even turned down it's not helping
Comment by The GDS Team posted on
Hi Richard,
We've changed the sound mixing on the podcast. Let us know what you think.
Thanks,
The GDS Team
Comment by Richard posted on
There’s still feint drumming in the background, but thanks for trying : )