Conference Theme

The theme, “Empowering Diversity, Nurturing Lasting Impact”, is highly relevant in today’s global context. It highlights the importance of embracing diversity in service design processes and fostering inclusive practices that empower diverse communities. By empowering individuals from all walks of life, the theme advocates for service designs that cater to the unique needs and experiences of diverse user groups. It underscores the importance of nurturing long-term relationships and sustainable solutions within service interactions. Through inclusive service design practices, the theme promotes collaborative efforts towards positive societal change. It encourages dialogue and co-creation among stakeholders to drive lasting impact in service delivery.

The theme embodies the essence of service design as a catalyst for innovation, equity, and meaningful engagement. It seeks to inspire actionable strategies that enhance the quality, accessibility, and inclusivity of services for all. It emphasizes the journey from envisioning a better future (aspiration) to taking concrete steps towards achieving it (action) through the lens of diversity empowerment. Ultimately, the theme aims to cultivate service experiences that leave a lasting, positive imprint on individuals and communities alike.

ServDes 2025 in India perfectly aligns with the conference theme. India’s ‘unity in diversity’ spans cultures, languages, and geographies, offering a rich backdrop of tradition and rapid technological growth. It offers participants a chance to experience a blend of traditional heritage, dynamic socio-economic growth, and rapid technological advancements. As digital transformation accelerates, service design plays a vital role in shaping customer experiences and societal well-being, making India an ideal setting to explore how diversity can drive lasting impact.

• Invited/keynote presentations from eminent international experts and practitioners
• Presentations of refereed papers as podium, panel or theme presentations
• Presentations on perspectives from industry and studies in practice
• Networking Sessions
• Workshop Sessions

The conference format will include keynote presentations, panel discussions, paper presentations, workshops, and interactive sessions, providing participants with ample opportunities to exchange ideas, share best practices, and collaborate on innovative service design solutions. In addition to the academic program, we plan to organize a variety of social and cultural activities as pre and post conference events. This will include networking events, cultural tours, and local excursions, to provide a memorable and enriching experience of Indian hospitality and culture.

Diversity Drive

This track highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in service design, exploring how to create services that cater to the needs of diverse user groups and foster inclusivity.

Community Catalyst

Community Engagement and Co-creation are at the heart of this track, emphasizing the role of community involvement in designing services that address local needs and empower communities.

Equity Expressway

Equity and Social Justice take center stage in this track, examining how service design can be used as a tool for promoting equity, addressing systemic inequalities, and advancing social justice initiatives.

Human-Centered Horizons

This track encompasses a broad range of topics related to service design that may not fit neatly into the other categories, allowing for exploration of emerging concepts, interdisciplinary perspectives, and innovative approaches to human-centered design.

Ethical Endeavors

Ethics and Responsible Design are the focus of this track, delving into ethical considerations in service design, such as privacy, transparency, and sustainability, and exploring strategies for designing ethically sound services.

Skills Scaffolding

Capacity Building and Skill Development are emphasized in this track, offering sessions and workshops aimed at enhancing participants’ skills in service design methodologies, tools, and techniques.

Innovation Intersection

Business Innovation is explored in this track, showcasing innovative approaches to service design that drive business growth, foster entrepreneurship, and create value for both customers and stakeholders.

Impact Insights

Measuring Impact and ROI are the key themes of this track, providing insights into methods and metrics for evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of service design initiatives and demonstrating their impact on business outcomes and societal goals.

Tech Trends Terrain

Future trends and the role of emerging technology are examined in this track, exploring how technologies such as AI, IoT, blockchain, and AR/VR are shaping the future of service design and transforming user experiences.

Dare to try

Track to celebrate and learn from the failures of complex design projects, including those related to design methodologies. Highlight challenges such as time overruns, implementation hurdles, adoption issues, and situations where implementation did not produce the desired impact, despite serious efforts to overcome obstacles. A platform to discuss how lessons learned from these failures are being, or will be, applied in reattempts to strengthen the design. While success stories often take centre stage, it is equally important to provide a platform to discuss failures and lessons learned from them.

Other

Other relevant service design topics inline with the theme of the conference.