2025 Recap

This year brought many challenges to civic design, with shifting priorities and unclear paths forward. Yet through it all, the resilience I have witnessed in colleagues, community partners, and designers working behind the scenes has been nothing short of inspiring. It is a powerful reminder that meaningful change does not come from waiting for perfect conditions, but from courageously voicing our ideas and turning them into action, even when the path forward feels unclear.

I will be honest. I have not been as consistent with this newsletter as I hoped I would be. Life, work, and the weight of the moment have made it difficult at times. But my intention moving forward is to show up more fully and to share the stories, projects, and people who continue to build, care, and imagine better systems for our communities. If this space can offer even a small spark of encouragement or connection, then it is worth continuing. There is so much good work happening, and together, even in uncertain times, we can keep shaping a more hopeful civic future.

–Robert  🤝

Top 3 Issues of the Year

The Civic Designer is a newsletter dedicated to exploring the impact of Civic Design. It is a collection of curated stories and resources designed to inspire and educate designers and public sector communicators who are passionate about shaping the public sphere and empowering our communities.