President Donald Trump on Aug. 21 signed an executive order establishing “America by Design,” a national initiative to improve the design and usability of federal services in both digital and physical spaces.
“America has long led the world in innovation, technological advancement, and design,” according to the EO. “But with a sprawling ecosystem of digital services offered to Americans, the Government has lagged behind in usability and aesthetics. There is a high financial cost to maintaining legacy systems, to say nothing of the cost in time lost by the American public trying to navigate them. It is time to fill the digital potholes across our Nation.”
The EO creates a National Design Studio within the White House and a new chief design officer to lead the effort. Headed by an administrator who reports to the White House chief of staff, the studio will advise agencies on cutting duplicative design costs, standardizing design to build public trust and improving the quality of government services.
Agency heads are directed to work with the chief design officer and deliver initial results by July 4, 2026, with priority given to websites and physical sites that have major impact on Americans’ lives. The General Services Administration will update the U.S. Web Design System consistent with the EO.
The chief design officer will also recruit top designers and experts, consult with thought leaders and coordinate with federal agencies to ensure compliance with the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act. A temporary organization within the National Design Studio will help advance the initiative for three years.
The EO states it is the policy of the administration to deliver experiences “both beautiful and efficient, improving the quality of life for our Nation.”