For more than three decades, Mindwire has been one of Canada’s most trusted recruiting partners for federal IT projects. They’ve helped government departments deliver some of the country’s most complex technology transformations — connecting experts who keep essential systems running smoothly.
But as the Government of Canada began to place a stronger emphasis on user experience (UX) and human-centered digital transformation, Mindwire saw a shift. Departments were no longer just asking for technical talent — they were asking for design thinkers, user researchers, and UX strategists who could make digital tools more usable, accessible, and impactful for citizens.
This new demand created both an opportunity and a challenge. Mindwire’s recruiters knew IT talent inside out, but the world of UX design and service design was different. These roles required a deep understanding of how people interact with digital systems — and how design decisions influence adoption, trust, and public satisfaction.
To close that gap, Mindwire turned to a trusted partner: Design Centered Co.
The Beginning of a Partnership
Design Centered Co. is a full-service User Experience and Digital Transformation consultancy known for helping public sector organizations deliver services that truly work for people. The team has supported projects with departments like Service Canada, Transport Canada, and Department of National Defence, using research and design to simplify citizen experiences and make technology more inclusive.
When Mindwire approached Design Centered Co., the goal was clear:
to strengthen their ability to respond quickly and confidently to government requests for UX design expertise — without needing to build an internal design team from scratch.
The two organizations quickly discovered a shared ethos: professionalism, transparency, and a genuine commitment to improving how the government delivers digital services. That foundation made collaboration seamless from day one.
“Your team makes our recruiting team stronger. You help us go to market more informed, more educated, and more in tune with what our clients need .”
Alex Hessel, Account Executive at Mindwire.
Understanding the Challenge
Federal digital projects are high-stakes. They often involve legacy systems, tight timelines, multiple stakeholders, and strict compliance requirements. Departments must balance user needs with security, accessibility, and policy constraints.
Mindwire’s recruiting team recognized that UX expertise wasn’t just another skill set — it was becoming a core enabler of transformation. Without strong UX and user research, even the most advanced systems risked low adoption or user frustration.
However, recruiting for these roles required understanding what each project actually needed. Was the department looking for a UX researcher to conduct usability testing with citizens? A service designer to map out an entire process? Or a product designer to modernize a legacy application interface?
These distinctions were crucial — and that’s where Design Centered Co.’s deep design experience came in.
How Design Centered Co. Strengthened the Process
Design Centered Co. worked closely with Mindwire to interpret project requirements, scope UX activities, and define success criteria. Instead of just filling a role, the teams collaborated to ensure that the right expertise matched each client’s goals.
When a government department needed UX support, Mindwire could instantly bring Design Centered Co. into the conversation. From UX audits and user interviews to prototyping digital solutions and service blueprinting, Design Centered Co.’s team provided full-cycle design capability.
This partnership approach saved time, reduced uncertainty, and helped departments move forward with confidence.
One project, for example, involved a large-scale redesign of an internal benefits processing tool used by thousands of federal employees. Design Centered Co. conducted usability testing, simplified key workflows, and co-designed a prototype that reduced average task completion time by over 30%. The improved design became a model for future system updates.
The Results
The impact of the partnership was felt across three levels — Mindwire, government clients, and citizens.
For Mindwire:
- Faster response time. They could meet government UX requests in days instead of weeks, relying on Design Centered’s ready-to-deploy team.
- Higher bid success. Mindwire became more competitive on tenders requiring UX and design expertise.
- Operational efficiency. Recruiters spent less time vetting niche candidates and more time strengthening client relationships.
Stronger reputation. Positive client feedback reinforced Mindwire’s reputation as a responsive, high-quality vendor.
For Government Clients:
- Projects stayed on time and on budget. The integration of UX and research early in the process reduced costly rework later.
- Better adoption of digital tools. Simplified workflows and user-tested designs increased satisfaction and reduced support requests.
- Consistent quality. Every Design Centered consultant received top feedback for professionalism and design quality.
“If I need to reach someone at Design Centered Co., I can just call — and they pick up. That responsiveness builds trust, and in this environment, that’s huge.”
Biljana Zelenovic, Mindwire Director of Recruiting
A Partnership Built on Shared Values
Behind every successful project is trust. Mindwire and Design Centered Co. share the belief that people come first — whether they’re public servants using internal systems or citizens applying for benefits online.
This people-centered approach goes beyond design; it’s how both teams work. Clear communication, proactive updates, and accountability are built into every step.
Together, they’ve helped departments navigate accessibility standards, implement user research in policy-driven contexts, and adopt new digital tools without losing sight of human needs.
Quantified Impact
Partnering with Design Centered Co. proved both efficient and strategic for Mindwire:
- Time savings: Avoided the need to build internal UX capacity or train recruiters on complex design disciplines.
- Cost efficiency: Reduced internal resource overhead by leveraging a ready-made partner model.
- Strategic advantage: Gave Mindwire the ability to compete for, and win, more comprehensive digital transformation contracts.
- Speed to market: Enabled government clients to start design and research work faster — often within days of project approval.
For Design Centered Co., the partnership opened a new pathway to scale impact across multiple departments — helping shape how UX and user research become standard practice in Canada’s digital government ecosystem.
Lessons Learned and Looking Forward
The partnership between Mindwire and Design Centered Co. continues to evolve. What started as a collaboration on individual projects has grown into a long-term relationship that combines recruitment expertise with design leadership.
As government modernization accelerates — with priorities like accessibility, AI integration, and citizen-centered design — both teams are committed to expanding this model.
For Design Centered Co., the partnership opened a new pathway to scale impact across multiple departments — helping shape how UX and user research become standard practice in Canada’s digital government ecosystem.
“It’s a win-win,” says Alex Hessel. “You make our team better, and together we deliver results that clients trust.”
For the Government of Canada, this means one thing: digital services that work better for the people who depend on them.
Let’s Build Better Public Services Together
If your organization supports the public sector — as a recruiting firm, systems integrator, or delivery partner — and you’re looking to strengthen your UX design, user research, or digital transformation capabilities, let’s connect.
Let’s start a conversation about building a better digital Canada.
