Unboxed 2024: A year of impact, innovation, and collaboration
As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on a year that has challenged us, inspired us, and reaffirmed our mission: delivering impactful, human centred solutions that drive meaningful change. Here are some highlights from our journey this year, showcasing the collective expertise, creativity, and passion of the Unboxed team.
Driving healthcare innovation
Transforming HCM Screening at UHB
In partnership with University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, we reimagined the screening process for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a genetic condition affecting 1 in 500 people in the UK. Through a 7-week discovery phase, our team:
This work exemplifies the power of collaboration and user centred design to tackle complex healthcare challenges.
Collaboration in South East London
Partnering with NHS South East London Integrated Care Board, we co-designed solutions to tackle the many challenges around the interface between primary and secondary care. This resulted in a service framework that streamlined processes, empowered stakeholders, and fostered collaboration to improve patient outcomes.
It was important for us to create outputs that people working in the NHS could actually use. Based on everything we’d learnt, we formulated and refined our principles, adding a simple framework of tangible actions for each stakeholder. We set out a clear, prioritised list of challenges to be tackled and included some initial targets to build momentum and trust in change.
?? Championing open data and planning innovation
Building the BOPS Planning System
We’re thrilled to have been awarded the contract to continue to develop the Back-Office Planning System (BOPS). In partnership with local authorities, we created a user-centred, open source platform to process planning applications efficiently, delivering up to 30% time savings for councils!
"Unboxed have done really impressive work fostering an environment on this project where councils work together effectively to make an innovative product framed around their exact needs." - Stephen Barnes | Product Owner | Open Digital Planning
Interactive planning applications map
Harnessing open data from the BOPS public API, our team built an interactive planning applications map. This tool enhances transparency, community engagement, and efficiency in the planning process, showcasing the power of open data to drive innovation.
Interested to see how this works? View the full video here.
?? Our work on the UK petitions platform and petitions map
This year, our Petitions Map gained national attention, going viral as millions signed a petition calling for a General Election. Built nine years ago to demonstrate the power of open data, the map showcases how technology can foster transparency and engagement in the democratic process.
Beyond the map, we’re continuing our work with the Parliamentary Digital Service to redesign the UK petitions platform. This effort ensures accessibility and aligns with Parliament’s new brand, empowering more citizens to champion the issues they care about. Our decade-long work with the UK Parliament ensures that the public have a visible way to engage in the democratic process.
?? Insights and innovations: Exploring service design, local government, healthcare, and prototyping
Beyond viable: Redefining service design for lasting impact
Recently, Laura Smith and Tom Gayler led a session on "Going beyond viable," at Advancing Service Design, an international conference to evolve the practice of service design, sharing their experiences in reshaping the UK planning space. They discussed how adaptability, reflection, and a focus on creating an enabling ecosystem can lead to services that flourish in complex environments..
Alongside design leaders like Ben Reason , Patrick Quattlebaum and Lucy Ellis (O'Donoghue) , their talk inspired us to reimagine how service designers can influence the ecosystems around services, fostering long-term impact and innovation.
Breaking barriers: Launching scalable services in local government
Martyn Evans and Laura Smith from Unboxed recently shared their insights at SDinGov in their talk, 'How to launch a service across local government'. They explored the challenges of outdated software tools in local councils and highlighted the critical role of service designers in driving impactful, scalable solutions.
Key takeaways included strategies to overcome barriers like funding and time constraints, practical approaches to scaling services, and first-hand insights into the challenges faced by citizens and council staff. Martyn and Laura’s experience offered a roadmap for empowering change makers to deliver lasting impact across local government.
Exploring the potential of PROMs
This year, we convened a thought-provoking virtual roundtable on the untapped potential of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs). Together with industry leaders, including Melanie Martin, Laura Smith , and Dr. Markus Gwiggner from the University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, we explored how PROMs can transform healthcare by tackling inequalities of access and empowering patients to take an active role in their care.
Our discussions emphasised the importance of integrating PROMs into service transformation, creating opportunities for deeper relationships between providers and patients. The insights shared will guide the next chapter of healthcare innovation. A huge thank you to our speakers and facilitators, Rhian Lewis and Tom Gayler , for their incredible contributions.
Prototyping for success: Reducing risk and driving innovation
In our latest Thoughts Unboxed webinar, "Prototyping to Reduce Risk," Unboxed’s Laura Smith, Martyn Evans, and char.gy founder Richard Stobart shared how quick, low-fidelity prototypes help teams test ideas, gather feedback, and pivot effectively.
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From paper-based prototypes to no-code approaches, the panel highlighted creative methods, like using polystyrene and cardboard for hardware prototyping, and the value of increasing fidelity as confidence grows. Practical insights and real-world examples left attendees inspired to use prototyping as a tool to reduce risk and accelerate innovation.
"Prototyping isn’t always about making things - one method we used recently was a simple conversation" - Laura Smith
Scaling digital health: The power of co-creation in innovation
In our webinar at the start of the year, Digital health innovation:from pilot to scale, we explored the transformative power of co-creation in digital health. Featuring insights from SH:24 's user-centred design journey and a panel discussion with healthcare innovators, we delved into the importance of involving clinicians and patients in every stage of solution development. Key topics included balancing automation with clinical expertise, sustaining engagement as services scale, and adapting to evolving user needs. The session highlighted how collaboration drives scalability and ensures digital health solutions truly meet the needs of their users.
?? Highlighting our top blogs
Skipping discovery? Sometimes, yes.
Unboxed Director Martyn Evans shared his take on when it’s okay to streamline processes and skip traditional discovery phases without compromising on product quality.
Read the full blog: When it's okay to skip Discovery.
Kind organisations build confidence
Vicky Peel ’s blog explored how compassionate workplace policies can help teams navigate life’s challenges with confidence, supporting better outcomes for employees and clients alike.
Read the full blog: Why kind organisations build confidence.
Empowering development through user centred practices
Rhian Lewis ' blog explores how Unboxed champions user centred development, bridging the gap between developers and end users to create impactful, intuitive software solutions that truly meet user needs.
Read the full blog: What is user centred development?
?? Team highlights - A year of great connections
Welcoming new faces
We were delighted to host Year 12 students Luke and Alex for work experience, alongside our intern Hugh O'Neill . It’s always a pleasure to nurture new talent and introduce them to our world of service design and digital product development.
We also welcomed our new Head of Design Liam Hinshelwood to our Unboxed team this year! Liam has hit the ground running managing our design team and is currently working with UAL and the UK Government on the petitions platform update.
Smiles all round at our summer picnic!
We know the importance of stepping away from our desks to reconnect as a team. Our summer company picnic was a perfect afternoon spent together, filled with laughter and sunshine.
A 'criminally' good christmas party
This year’s Christmas party took us to Alcotraz for a hilariously unconventional team-building experience. We wrapped up the year with a festive dinner, toasting to another year of success, innovation, and teamwork.
Looking ahead to 2025
This year has been a journey of collaboration and innovation. As we look to 2025, we’re excited to continue delivering impactful solutions that challenge the status quo, empower people, and create meaningful change.
Thank you to our team, clients, and partners for an incredible year. Here’s to the next chapter!
Thanks!
Unboxed Team