Service Design YAP cover art

Service Design YAP

Service Design YAP

Written by: Service Design Network UK
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About this listen

Service Design YAP is a community podcast from Service Design Network UK's chapter.

Each episode profiles a member of the design community, exploring the lessons they've learned on their career path and the hearing their favourite design war stories.

Why did we set up YAP?

Well, many designers work in isolation and find it difficult to attend physical community meets ups. The podcast provides a way for everyone to tap into the community, to learn a little about craft and careers and to feel a part of something bigger.

Why is the podcast called YAP?

Well thats for us to know and you to guess.

We hope that these episodes inform, inspire and entertain you in equal measure.

Are you a PR firm looking to position a client on the show?

We're happy to consider guests if they are Service Designers and are part of the UK design community. We really love guests that bring new primary research, or new case studies to the table. We love all forms of recycling... except for podcast content.

© 2025 Service Design YAP Art
Episodes
  • From crying in the shower to creative leadership, with Rama Gheerawo.

    From crying in the shower to creative leadership, with Rama Gheerawo.
    Nov 19 2025

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    Does the 21st century need a new leadership paradigm? Rama Geheerawo thinks that we do. Through his work with global large enterprises, he's found that bringing a design sensibility to the task of redefining better formats for leadership has yielded "Ah Ha" moments as well as real commercial impact.


    About Rama:

    Prof. Rama Gheerawo is a global authority on inclusive design and creative leadership, working at the intersection of innovation, business, and human-centred design.


    He is the author of Creative Leadership: How to Design the 21st Century Organisation, a bold book for creatives that puts empathy, clarity and creativity at the core of leadership. Published internationally in paperback, audiobook and ebook, it has resonated with leaders across 40+ countries and is rapidly redefining leadership for a new era. Rama is the Founder of INSTILL and President of EIDD – Design for All Europe. Formerly Director of the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design at the Royal College of Art, he has led over 100 collaborations with global organisations including Samsung, Toyota, Tata Consultancy Services and Panasonic, turning inclusive design into business advantage and social impact. His Creative Leadership model has trained thousands, including 850+ senior civil servants, and is helping shape leadership cultures worldwide. Named a Creative Leader alongside Paul Smith and Björk, and awarded the Design Week Hall of Fame in 2019, Rama brings unmatched energy, empathy and vision to every stage.


    A highly sought-after keynote speaker and advisor, he challenges assumptions, unlocks potential, and empowers individuals and organisations to lead with humanity. Rama sits on numerous boards and advisory committees including The Valuable 500, D&AD Awards, Dezeen Awards and the Global Disability Innovation Hub. He is also a Visiting Professor in Asia and Europe.



    Service Design YAP is developed and produced by the Service Design Network UK Chapter.
    Its aim is to engage and connect the wider Service Design community.

    • Episode Host: Stephen Wood
    • Production Assistance: Jean Watanya
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    45 mins
  • Are you a Design Leader or a Business Leader? YAP talks with Marzia Aricò

    Are you a Design Leader or a Business Leader? YAP talks with Marzia Aricò
    Oct 16 2025

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    In this episode we talk to Marzia Aricò about design leadership and Marzia shares great stories that illustrate the key to creating traction and long-term impact as a design leader.

    We particularly liked talking about Marzia's experience of taking design into London Business School and the challenges that she faced repositioning design as a way to generate commercial value, rather than a form of corporate entertainment or light relief.

    Marzi share practical tips for those of you looking to make the jump from design expert into formal leadership roles, and we talk about the attitudes, behaviours and competencies that you need to adopt, maintain and discard if you're going to transition successfully.


    About Marzia

    Marzia Aricò is a strategic designer, leadership coach, and consultant helping large organisations navigate transformation through design. With over 17 years of experience, she works with executives and design leaders to build the mindsets, structures, and capabilities needed to make design a true driver of strategic decision-making.


    Her work blends systems thinking, organisational design, and leadership development — turning complexity into clarity and intent into action. Marzia is the founder of Design Mavericks, a global community of design leaders shaping the next chapter of the discipline, and the author of Design Leadership Chronicles (BIS Publishers).


    She regularly collaborates with senior teams across sectors and speaks internationally about the evolving role of design in governing intelligent, adaptive organisations.



    Service Design YAP is developed and produced by the Service Design Network UK Chapter.
    Its aim is to engage and connect the wider Service Design community.

    • Episode Host: Stephen Wood
    • Production Assistance: Jean Watanya
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • Service Design Global Conference 25: Exclusive Sneak Peak - Two

    Service Design Global Conference 25: Exclusive Sneak Peak - Two
    Sep 19 2025

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    The Service Design Global Conference is just under a month away, but we couldn't resist grabbing time with design podcast legends, and conference keynote presenters Jesse James Garrett and Peter Merholz.

    The founders of Adaptive Path and now co-hosts of Finding Our Way (its the design podcast that we want to be when we grow up), will be looking at how design leadership needs to evolve and how taking inspiration from leaders in "design adjacent" lines of business helps us to improve our own leadership skills. Genius steals.


    We're also joined by SDN stalwarts David Russo and Greg Lakloufi, who have been tirelessly working on creating a stellar agenda for the conference. They give us the lowdown on the venue and program and share some insider tips for hip bars, BBQ shacks, and Honkey-tonk dance halls, which will feed your soul after the conference has blown your mind.


    Greg also gives us hot off the press news about a way to get a 50% discount for in-person tickets. Click here to find about the scholarship funded by the kind folks at Teleolytics




    Service Design YAP is developed and produced by the Service Design Network UK Chapter.
    Its aim is to engage and connect the wider Service Design community.

    • Episode Host: Stephen Wood
    • Production Assistance: Jean Watanya
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
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