Government Digital Experience in Focus at Adobe MAX 2017

Recently, the 2017 Adobe MAX conference brought together more than 10,000 designers, developers and business leaders to discuss the latest creative technologies, learn new skills, and get inspired by fellow creatives. Participants had the chance to get inspired by topics ranging from web and UX design, digital illustration, and creative imaging. Thousands of creative ideas were shared about these creative applications and evolving technologies. This year, MAX also featured a few special sessions focused on digital challenges and opportunities for creative professionals in government.

In a well-attended fireside chat, Teri Takai, executive director of the Center for Digital Government and former CIO for the Dept. of Defense and the States of California and Michigan, sat down with Adobe’s head of government industry strategy, Greg Reeder. Teri and Greg discussed how the government can keep pace with the public’s evolving digital experience expectations and the many ways in which creative tools enable innovation and enhance digital experiences for both citizens and government teams.

Greg outlined how Adobe is implementing artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve digital tools for government. AI platforms, such as Adobe Sensei, help deliver personalized, efficient experiences that help construct better experiences for citizens and the government workforce. Working alongside human creativity and intelligence, Sensei uses the power of machine learning to amplify creativity and ultimately improve digital experiences across society.

Governments are making some great strides in creative technology and digital experiences. For example, Greg described how the state of Utah sought to deliver better online engagement for citizens, and saved $46M in taxpayer dollars by moving 9 services online. Greg also emphasized the value of analytics, encouraging governments to look beyond vanity metrics, toward mobile accessibility and digital signatures to improve digital experiences.

Teri and Greg were joined by Ashley Still, Adobe VP of enterprise offerings for digital media, who discussed Adobe’s vision for government solutions and announced the new Adobe Government Creativity Awards program. The Adobe Government Creativity Awards celebrate the talent and effort of creative, scientific and design professionals who are pushing the envelope of design in the Public Sector to serve and engage citizens, communities, and each other. With the opportunity to submit entries now available, potential winners will receive exposure to other industry professionals, expert feedback on their projects and the chance for certificates and awards to recognize their outstanding work.

In another government-focused session titled “Designing Government Services For Everyone: A United UX For America,” Erica Deahl, principal designer at Khan Academy and lead UX designer for the U.S. Web Design Standards in her former role at 18F, discussed how improving design of government services leads to real benefits for the people relying on those services. Erica discussed strategies for connecting and rebuilding trust with citizens and making platforms accessible and responsive to all. Erica discussed her work on the U.S. Web Design Standards project, where she helped create a library of design guidelines and code to help government developers and designers create trustworthy, accessible, and consistent digital government services. With unique abilities to understand and provide solutions for the challenges faced by government agencies and the people they serve, Erica emphasized the incredible opportunity for designers to make a difference in government.

Citizens’ expectations for effective, engaging digital experiences on every device are growing every day. Well-designed government services allow citizens and government employees to connect seamlessly with the digital experience they deserve. To learn more about how Adobe partners with government, please visit adobe.com/government.

For more information on the Adobe Government Creativity Awards, please visit adobecreativityawards.com.

For more on Erica Deahl’s presentation on UX design for government, see the Adobe Creative Cloud Blog.