A Night of Insight, Energy & Community
Attending events can be extremely daunting, Truthfully, I'm probably the least likely person to say, “Go out there and strike up a conversation with complete strangers”, that kind of thing usually makes me want to melt into the floor. But when things run smoothly, it suddenly feels less stuffy and I find myself thinking, “Wait… do I actually enjoy this madness?”
I signed up for an event last week with Service Design Ireland and it didn't disappoint. The evening buzzed with connection, fresh perspectives, and a dynamic energy that only comes when great minds come together.
Images taken from Service Design Ireland
At its core, UX and Service Design and are all about people, creating experiences that work seamlessly across touchpoints, channels, and teams. Events like these remind me just how collaborative the design field is. The most impactful design does not happen in silos, I think it thrives when creatives come together to challenge assumptions, share knowledge, and co-create better outcomes.
On the night we saw a case study showing how service design can be the catalyst for meaningful business transformation. The work reminded me that when we understand systems holistically, we create real change, not just better user flows, but better services.
Images taken from Service Design Ireland
And then the energy shifted. The room transformed into conversation with something they called a “fishbowl activity.” Picture this: questions we’d scribbled on sticky notes were read aloud, and suddenly, the middle of the room became the stage. People sitting in the center, answering candidly, while others joined in, tag-teaming responses like a thoughtful improv. It was fun and inclusive, the kind of setup that gently nudged even the shyest into the spotlight (or at least a little closer to it).
Images taken from Service Design Ireland
It was a great way to connect and meet new people, and the evening was super insightful. As I reflect on the night, I think one thing is clear. UX and Service Design are about more than just creating intuitive interfaces, they are about building bridges between people, teams, and ideas. And when we collaborate across disciplines, we don’t just design better, we become better!
Here’s to more connection, more creativity, and more cross-collaboration in the journey ahead.
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Teresa Di Manno
