What is the Service Design College?
The Service Design College is a fresh kind of design school—a melting pot where knowledge and experience blend. It’s a place where people bring their expertise, ambitions, strengths, and even weaknesses to find support for both professional and personal growth. And it’s not just about receiving help; it’s about giving it back too. Roles shift depending on the questions asked, balancing individual needs with those of peers and society. The college believes the world around us truly matters—its people, communities, businesses, governments, and the environment. It encourages individuals to challenge themselves and others, to rethink, and actively contribute to positive progress. Everyone here is seen as a potential changemaker, creator, activator, and supporter of meaningful transformation.
Main Benefits of Joining the Service Design College
Jumping into the Service Design College experience means diving into a vibrant community and a rich learning environment. Here are some key highlights:
- Over 4,000 members in the online campus, growing steadily
- Peer-to-peer learning that builds lasting skills and relationships Explore the campus
- Access to a year-long program developing a 360° design mindset Get started here
- Courses tackling complex problem contexts, like systemic design Join the course
- Opportunities to master service design project management skills Master your skills
- Collaborations with big names like Philips, IBM, IKEA, and more
- Highlighted activities including design for public services, customer journey management, and design leadership
The 360° Design Mindset: A Holistic Approach
At the heart of the college’s philosophy is the 360° design mindset. It’s about more than just design—it’s about creating value in a holistic, ongoing way. Imagine a dynamic, two-way exchange with every stakeholder involved, where value is co-designed and co-created. This mindset requires a fresh set of abilities and ways of thinking. Students learn to ask the right questions and find the best answers—not just for themselves, but for their teams, organizations, clients, and even society at large. Through listening, practicing, and discussing, they develop new perspectives, increase awareness, and build confidence. It’s a journey toward seeing situations differently and adopting actionable skills that truly make a difference.
Highlighted Courses and Learning Opportunities
The college offers a variety of courses designed to tackle real-world challenges and sharpen specific skills. Some standout options include:
- Design for Public Services – focusing on impactful public sector design
- Customer Journey Management Essentials – mastering the basics
- Systemic Design for Tackling Complexity – deep dive into complex problem-solving
- Design Leadership for Next-Gen Leaders – preparing future leaders
- Customer Journey Management Advanced – taking skills to the next level
Community and Collaboration
The Service Design College isn’t just about courses—it’s about community. Whether you’re a designer in service, experience, social, business design, or design research, or even a professional outside the design sphere, the online campus welcomes you. It’s a space to meet like-minded peers who share a commitment to lifelong learning. Collaboration extends beyond members to partnerships with renowned companies like Philips, Zurich, IBM, IKEA, HP, Polestar, and others. This network creates a rich ecosystem where ideas flow freely and support is always at hand.
Project Impact and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 4: Quality Education – fostering lifelong learning and skill development
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – promoting innovative design approaches
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – designing for public services and societal impact
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – collaborating with global companies and communities
Events and Engagement Opportunities
Beyond courses and community, the Service Design College connects members to exciting events that spark creativity and challenge thinking. Notable events include the Service Design Days, a vibrant gathering for professionals and enthusiasts alike, and the Student Service Design Challenge, which invites emerging designers to tackle real-world problems. These events offer chances to engage, learn, and showcase talents in dynamic environments.
