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Archives For January 2009

New context

January 20, 2009 — 16 Comments

So much of what we are able to do with design is dependent on the context in which we ask our questions. It may be that a definition of an innovator is someone who is able to ask a question that noone else has thought to ask. It seems to me that today the context in which we get to ask our questions has changed. Barak Obama’s inauguration speech layed out an agenda for innovation and design thinking that should keep us busy for quite some while.

We were certainly asking some of these questions before but now those around us will better understand what we were saying and perhaps be more open to the solutions that we propose. This is a good time to be a designer.

The question is, how do we best exploit it?

In design thinking ,
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Getting out of the office

January 12, 2009 — 4 Comments

IDEO’er Jeff Chapin is heading off on sabbattical to work with IDE (International Development Enterprises) on a low cost latrine. Jeff will be away for the next three months working in Cambodia and will be blogging about the experience. This might be a good chance to follow along as a designer gets immersed in designing for the other 90%.

In design thinking, social impact ,
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Fishing in a storm

January 12, 2009 — 29 Comments

There is an Eskimo proverb that says the storm is the time to fish. We are in the middle of a pretty big storm at the moment and organizations are asking questions about how committed they should be to innovation. I am moderating a session at Davos on this topic and would love any thoughts you might have about ways to think about innovating in a disruptive economy. What is the justification for innovating now? How is it different from innovating in good times? What are the challenges that may prevent even the most optimistic of leaders from investing when belt tightening is the order of the day?

There has been plenty of conversation, some of it here, about the importance of sticking with innovation but I am hoping to get beyond the homilies and abstract perspectives to the real issues and tactics that leaders should consider. What are the best examples we have of successful innovation in difficult times?

In design thinking, global warming , ,
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Objectified trailer

January 5, 2009 — Leave a comment

Gary Hustwit has just released the trailer for his new film Objectified, all about industrial design. Based on a similar format to the successful Helvetica, he interviewed a number of designers working around the world including yours truly. Objectified will launch in the spring but you can see the trailer at Gizmodo.

In design thinking , ,
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