iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 03/08/2026

I’m about to embark on a new journey that’s out of my comfort zone, but I’m hoping will be full of learning, enjoyment, stimulation and challenges. Eek.

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 03/08/2026

Just over a week until I finish my current role. Things are starting to feel very, very real. Going to miss so many people. The worst bit about leaving a job is no longer being around the great people you get to work with everyday.

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 19/05/2026

Being in a relationship with a fellow ADHDer doesn’t come without its challenges, but god it is good. Whenever I misplace things like my AirPods, phone, wallet he usually knows where it is. Whenever he loses his, I usually know where they are. Does that make us a power couple? 😂

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 26/12/2025

To fellow neurodivergent people: Well done. We made it through another Christmas. I’m proud of us.

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Reposted by Cal Laird

Craig Abbott @craigabbott.co.uk · 22/12/2025

Autistic burnout, at this time of year. Changes in routine. Increased social activity and masking. Expectations on how you’ll spend your time, your money and your energy. Sensory overload, different lights, textures, smells and sounds. It’s ok not to be ok, even when it’s “the season to be jolly”.

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 19/12/2025

That’s traumatic 😉

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 19/12/2025

Loved seeing your highlights Sarah. Whilst your term is ending I’m sure you’ll still be involved in some way or another!

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Reposted by Cal Laird

Sarah Drummond @rufflemuffin.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

I knew this day would come. I'm leaving Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park next year as my board tenure is up. That means, there are board positions up for grabs. In fact, there are 5 as all The Scottish Government appointed members are leaving. bit.ly/3JYmotR

bit.ly

Guide the Future of Our National Park: 2026 Board opportunities - Here. Now. All of us.

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority is on the look out for five new Ministerially appointed board members in 2026.

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 19/12/2025

*cries in NHS-issued 15” Dell Latitude 3000 series which takes 30 minutes to log in*

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 14/12/2025

So many places use Shopify now too, which I do love, for the most part. However… for me it always defaults to ticking the “subscribe to our newsletter” box and it drives me insane!

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 14/12/2025

Zrobiliśmy piernik staropolski (we made traditional Polish gingerbread). Dating a Polish man brings me a lot of joy. Bonus points for the baked goods and hearty cooking.

A plate with a fork lying on it showing half eaten piernik staropolski cake, which is traditional Polish gingerbread. The plate is white with speckled gradient edged plate is in the foreground with a soft focus snowy Christmas tree with warm white lights is in the background.

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 04/11/2025

Today in ADHD: Turns out my work phone does indeed erase itself when you enter the password wrong too many times. I thought it was bluffing.

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 03/11/2025

Trying to find a new ceiling light fitting that doesn’t show a bare bulb at most angles, yet is in the style or colour I want, is turning out to be very hard. Can you just let me be autistic in peace?

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 02/11/2025

Sundays are for shaving your head whilst listening to The Deep Blue Okay by @selfesteem.music-social.com at full volume.

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 24/09/2025

Usually when I run a workshop participants steal my sharpies. It’s always the sharpies. Not today though. They stole my scissors!

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 30/08/2025

After losing weight I told myself I’d cut down on the jumper of jackets, fleeces and hoodies I own. I know have at least double the amount. WHY?!

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 15/08/2025

I’m a big fan of innovation (duh) but if it isn’t broken, why “fix” it?

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 15/08/2025

As a seller, eBay’s “Simple Delivery,” which you must now use for most items, is the least “simple” thing I’ve ever used. May I suggest it is renamed to “eBay Stressful Delivery” or “eBay Delivery Experience That Replaced a Perfectly Functional Delivery Experience That Wasn’t Broken Delivery”

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 24/07/2025

Is this dark UX? I think this is dark UX. I’ve let an insurance policy auto renew before because I forgot to turn auto renew off. Got most of my money back but minus an admin fee. Nightmare.

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 24/07/2025

I've seen a handful of Service Design roles at Admiral recently... I'm with them for my car insurance - renewal price was nuts. The process of turning off auto renewal took about 15 clicks and I had to answer a bunch of questions. Please don't make it this hard to turn off auto renew. ARGH.

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 16/07/2025

… that I’d entirely missed. And I’ve been to that practice for years! If they included something with the tubes they handed me, I could’ve avoided this and I’m sure many who’ve had to re try would be happier. I’m sure it sounds trivial to many but it’s important, especially at a time of anxiety

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 16/07/2025

Oh goodness. Communication and clear content goes a long way in situations like this, especially with things of a sensitive nature. I had to hand in a sample to my GP practice. Dropped it off at 2pm, turns out they had to be in by 12. Receptionist pointed out the 3 separate signs on the wall…

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 12/07/2025

Good idea. I don’t have the patience for that shit though 😂 I guess I will have to be a bit more methodical! My underwear brand is the same. I love it. Need more of this

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 12/07/2025

Please tell me I’m not the only one?!

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 12/07/2025

Selling a lot of my old clothes on Vinted due to weight loss but also realising lots of them are missing their label, because sensory issues. Also remembering how many times I’ve yanked a label off in anger when the feeling has driven me nuts and I’ve then had to sew up the seem on the side…

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 26/06/2025

Thanks for sharing this because I've actually been using those words interchangeably and I had no idea. I do now!

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 26/06/2025

Totally, I'm just being grumpy today. I love it when there are other options, just find it such a nuisance having to switch apps or the million notifications that appear on all my devices when I get an email!

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 26/06/2025

Does anyone else hate passwordless sign in using email? Passkeys are fine but whenever I have to use sign in via magic link through email my heart sinks

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 26/06/2025

The cost. The time taken to print, stick it in an envelope, post. The environmental impact. The nervous wait! The fact the letter arrived when I was away on holiday and I’d already waited over 7 of the 14 days I had to respond before they send a reminder letter.

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 26/06/2025

Not everyone wants to receive these by email, of course, and we have to consider those who don’t have digital access/skills. However, there were many opportunities where I could’ve said “I’d like to receive this letter by email.” Or even other formats. I feel a blog post coming…

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 26/06/2025

First touchpoint was the letter saying I was at the top of the list and to call to book appointment. Next was the phone interaction with booking team. Latest is another letter confirming my appointment details. I surely can’t be the only one who sees opportunities for improving efficiency?

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 26/06/2025

My referral letter came through from my local NHS board the other day. A physical letter, of course. Phoned the central booking team. Made an appointment. Person on the phone said “no problem, I’ll send an appointment letter in the post.” It got me thinking…

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 25/06/2025

Submitted my Self Assessment Tax Return well before the January deadline. This is the first time I’ve managed to do it MONTHS before. Thanks Elvanse.

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Reposted by Cal Laird

Ryan Vamps @ryanvance.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

If you have been chasing some kind of neurodiversity diagnosis on the Scottish NHS for years, you might be interested in filling in this government investigation into why waiting times are so long. www.parliament.scot/about/news/n...

parliament.scot

Committee seeks views on ADHD and autism

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 14/06/2025

Looking good Ryan. Hope you and Allan have a nice time—sorry to not be there. Perhaps I’ll join you guys next year?

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 13/06/2025

Inspired by so many folk who are writing weeknotes, I've joined in! I used to write them in my last job but never shared them publicly. I wanted to get back to informally reflecting on things, found it really useful for myself. This time: they are public. designwithcal.com/weeknotes/1

designwithcal.com

Weeknote 1 — Cal Laird | Service Designer • designwithcal | Dundee

Heatpumps, socialising and squeaking

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 12/06/2025

@octopus.energy Hello! Octopus customer here. Have you guys thought about integrating with Samsung to take advantage of their AI Energy features? Imagining something akin to Octopus Intelligent Go but for home appliances? I think that would be quite cool ;) happy to help work with you as well…

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 10/06/2025

My two modes when I have an appointment are either far too early or late and manically stressed. Why can’t I be in between the two? Why?!

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 09/06/2025

This looks like the arrow label option! You can double click the line to type in it and add a label. I think you can turn it off in the toolbar that pops up when you select the line?

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 07/06/2025

Not at all. You told your story really well. I think often folk (mostly larger orgs) forget that their services impact real people—whether negative or positive. It’s so important we talk about the human side of our work and keep reminding people of this 👏🏼

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 07/06/2025

Finished at HMRC on Tuesday as my contract came to an end. 2 years has absolutely flown by! Feels like a long time but also such a short time. So much has happened, both personally and professionally. So grateful to work with such smashing folk. Last Jira ticket moved to review. Over and out.

Silver laptop with its lid closed, a building access pass with a lanyard wrapped around it is sitting on top of the laptop. A headset is also lying on top of the laptop.

A photo of a computer screen showing a Jira ticket being moved to the “Review” column.

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 07/06/2025

Thanks for sharing this. Also sorry to hear about the experience you’ve had and how you’ve had to do so much digging to find answers. Users should never have to turn detective! Side note for myself: I should start blogging about bad service experiences, I’ve had a few awful ones recently

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Reposted by Cal Laird

Stamanfar @stamanfar.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Wrote a post about a very niche subject but one which I hope people will consider when designing services: stamanfar.medium.com/can-someone-...

stamanfar.medium.com

Can someone please service design Special Care Dental services?

Perspectives from a SEND mum

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 05/06/2025

Not product specific, but I think where it is the most useful is when you get a personalised experience based on your own needs/interactions/preferences without having to specify what those are

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 05/06/2025

I love it when tech actually makes my life easier. Also when you have a smart Samsung dryer it’ll sync the program to the machine so when you move from washer to dryer it’ll know what you’re putting in, so you just hit start. I know it’s sad getting excited about home appliances 😂

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 05/06/2025

Push notifications when you forget to empty it after a period of time. My ADHD thanks you Samsung 😍. It also knows how many hours it has ran and reminds you to clean the machine. Something I always forget to do without the help of reminders on my phone.

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 05/06/2025

I’ve done a few loads and I think this is actually a decent implementation of some kind of machine learning algorithm. I was skeptical at first but I’m completely won over. Other features like automatically starting the wash around clean energy hours in your area. Not AI per se, but still smart.

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Cal Laird @designwithcal.com · 05/06/2025

Throw in your laundry and hit start. That’s it. It works out how much laundry is in, the material and level of dirt. It automatically doses detergent and gets on with it. Best bit is the time remaining changes over the program. It gets more accurate and you can see updates on the progress/stage.

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