Cal Laird
@designwithcal.com
The ramblings & musings of a Service Designer at NHS 24. Neurodivergent and proud · Dundee, Scotland.
Design. Volvos. Tech. Music. Nature. Travel. Swimming. Plus the odd rant. Views are my own. 🏴🏳️🌈🧠
designwithcal.com
Design. Volvos. Tech. Music. Nature. Travel. Swimming. Plus the odd rant. Views are my own. 🏴🏳️🌈🧠
designwithcal.com
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.
Turns out my work phone does indeed erase itself when you enter the password wrong too many times.
I thought it was bluffing.
November 4, 2025 at 9:40 AM
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.
Turns out my work phone does indeed erase itself when you enter the password wrong too many times.
I thought it was bluffing.
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?
Can you just let me be autistic in peace?
November 3, 2025 at 10:13 AM
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?
Can you just let me be autistic in peace?
Sundays are for shaving your head whilst listening to The Deep Blue Okay by @selfesteem.music-social.com at full volume.
November 2, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Sundays are for shaving your head whilst listening to The Deep Blue Okay by @selfesteem.music-social.com at full volume.
Usually when I run a workshop participants steal my sharpies. It’s always the sharpies.
Not today though. They stole my scissors!
Not today though. They stole my scissors!
September 24, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Usually when I run a workshop participants steal my sharpies. It’s always the sharpies.
Not today though. They stole my scissors!
Not today though. They stole my scissors!
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?!
I know have at least double the amount. WHY?!
August 30, 2025 at 11:55 AM
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?!
I know have at least double the amount. WHY?!
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”
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”
August 15, 2025 at 11:31 AM
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”
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”
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.
Please don't make it this hard to turn off auto renew. ARGH.
July 24, 2025 at 2:28 PM
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.
Please don't make it this hard to turn off auto renew. ARGH.
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…
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…
July 12, 2025 at 3:30 PM
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…
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…
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
Passkeys are fine but whenever I have to use sign in via magic link through email my heart sinks
June 26, 2025 at 12:01 PM
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
Passkeys are fine but whenever I have to use sign in via magic link through email my heart sinks
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…
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…
June 26, 2025 at 10:38 AM
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…
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…
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.
Thanks Elvanse.
June 25, 2025 at 10:31 AM
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.
Thanks Elvanse.
Reposted by Cal Laird
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...
www.parliament.scot/about/news/n...
Committee seeks views on ADHD and autism
www.parliament.scot
June 23, 2025 at 7:13 PM
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...
www.parliament.scot/about/news/n...
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
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
Weeknote 1 — Cal Laird | Service Designer • designwithcal | Dundee
Heatpumps, socialising and squeaking
designwithcal.com
June 13, 2025 at 8:22 PM
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
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
@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…
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…
June 12, 2025 at 5:22 PM
@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…
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…
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?!
Why can’t I be in between the two? Why?!
June 10, 2025 at 2:24 PM
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?!
Why can’t I be in between the two? Why?!
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.
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.
June 7, 2025 at 12:46 PM
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.
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.
Reposted by Cal Laird
Wrote a post about a very niche subject but one which I hope people will consider when designing services: stamanfar.medium.com/can-someone-...
Can someone please service design Special Care Dental services?
Perspectives from a SEND mum
stamanfar.medium.com
June 7, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Wrote a post about a very niche subject but one which I hope people will consider when designing services: stamanfar.medium.com/can-someone-...
Hate how companies are integrating “AI” in to many products or services. It’s usually just some form of machine learning branded as “AI.”
It’s so pointless most of the time—think chatbots that can’t actually help you, AI in Squarespace, Mural, etc.
Complete marketing gimmick with little value.
It’s so pointless most of the time—think chatbots that can’t actually help you, AI in Squarespace, Mural, etc.
Complete marketing gimmick with little value.
June 5, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Hate how companies are integrating “AI” in to many products or services. It’s usually just some form of machine learning branded as “AI.”
It’s so pointless most of the time—think chatbots that can’t actually help you, AI in Squarespace, Mural, etc.
Complete marketing gimmick with little value.
It’s so pointless most of the time—think chatbots that can’t actually help you, AI in Squarespace, Mural, etc.
Complete marketing gimmick with little value.
Big pet peeve of mine is when you are on the phone to a service provider and the pre-recorded message whilst you wait says “did you know you can do most things using our online service, visit us at blah-dot-com.”
There’s a reason why I’m on the phone to you. Don’t rub salt in to the wound!
There’s a reason why I’m on the phone to you. Don’t rub salt in to the wound!
May 31, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Big pet peeve of mine is when you are on the phone to a service provider and the pre-recorded message whilst you wait says “did you know you can do most things using our online service, visit us at blah-dot-com.”
There’s a reason why I’m on the phone to you. Don’t rub salt in to the wound!
There’s a reason why I’m on the phone to you. Don’t rub salt in to the wound!
Booked a trip to Sweden in around a month, very excited, however, I have now entered the manic travel preparation phase. Two questions floating around in my head:
1. Will Ryanair be a pain in the arse about me bringing my CPAP machine.
2. Can I bring my (prescribed) amphetamines with me.
1. Will Ryanair be a pain in the arse about me bringing my CPAP machine.
2. Can I bring my (prescribed) amphetamines with me.
May 18, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Booked a trip to Sweden in around a month, very excited, however, I have now entered the manic travel preparation phase. Two questions floating around in my head:
1. Will Ryanair be a pain in the arse about me bringing my CPAP machine.
2. Can I bring my (prescribed) amphetamines with me.
1. Will Ryanair be a pain in the arse about me bringing my CPAP machine.
2. Can I bring my (prescribed) amphetamines with me.
Just a forewarning for those who are thinking of buying a water flosser:
Be careful. My bathroom walls, mirror, floor and most of my upper body have been soaked multiple times. I think I’ll use it in the shower going forward 😂
Be careful. My bathroom walls, mirror, floor and most of my upper body have been soaked multiple times. I think I’ll use it in the shower going forward 😂
May 15, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Just a forewarning for those who are thinking of buying a water flosser:
Be careful. My bathroom walls, mirror, floor and most of my upper body have been soaked multiple times. I think I’ll use it in the shower going forward 😂
Be careful. My bathroom walls, mirror, floor and most of my upper body have been soaked multiple times. I think I’ll use it in the shower going forward 😂
Reposted by Cal Laird
Hi everyone 👋 - I am approaching the end of my current contract and looking for a new role and would appreciate your support.
www.linkedin.com/posts/whitin...
www.linkedin.com/posts/whitin...
#servicestandards #localgovernment #accessibility #service #energy… | 📓 Rob Whiting
Hi everyone 👋 - I am approaching the end of my current 📝 contract and looking for a new role and would appreciate your support.
It’s been a great experience working with the Team at a 📊 Global Custom...
www.linkedin.com
May 12, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Hi everyone 👋 - I am approaching the end of my current contract and looking for a new role and would appreciate your support.
www.linkedin.com/posts/whitin...
www.linkedin.com/posts/whitin...
I’ve lost quite a bit of weight in the last 6 months or so. I’m now at that stage where my clothes don’t actually fit me and some jackets look silly.
I liked my jackets. Is it weird I want to purchase the same ones but a size down?
I really hate change sometimes 😅
I liked my jackets. Is it weird I want to purchase the same ones but a size down?
I really hate change sometimes 😅
May 9, 2025 at 9:35 PM
I’ve lost quite a bit of weight in the last 6 months or so. I’m now at that stage where my clothes don’t actually fit me and some jackets look silly.
I liked my jackets. Is it weird I want to purchase the same ones but a size down?
I really hate change sometimes 😅
I liked my jackets. Is it weird I want to purchase the same ones but a size down?
I really hate change sometimes 😅
My cat's water fountain broke and I am searching for a new one. Now, I love my smart home gadgets but a WiFi connected cat fountain seems a bit too much, even for me.
May 2, 2025 at 6:44 PM
My cat's water fountain broke and I am searching for a new one. Now, I love my smart home gadgets but a WiFi connected cat fountain seems a bit too much, even for me.