Tag: ideas

Brand Strategy Product design

Create for yourself first

There are always solutions that we need to put in place for our life. Many of those solutions may be things that have been resolved by someone else, giving us viable options to choose from. However, there are times when there is no solution to the problems we face, and that is where the potential for a good product idea exist.

Take inventory of your life and daily routines to recognize opportunities for needed solutions. Chances are that someone else is bumping against the same issue. Creating for ourself first is the best way to develop a good and relevant idea.

Brand Strategy Product design

What feeds a good idea?

Students studying and graduating at the Willem de Kooning Academie in Rotterdam created a process that converts leftover fruit and vegetables into durable, leather-like material.

fruitleather-thumb

The students state that “In this project we created a solution for one of Rotterdams biggest social issues, food waste.”

While many people realize that food waste is an issue on a global scale, I am curious what factors supported the growth of this idea, from this particular group? There are a few key components that may contribute to this:

1. Collective: This group describes themselves as a collective of designers. The truth is that a group is much more powerful than the glamorized solo designer.

2. Solution based: The idea was focused on the solution rather than the consumer. They sought out a solution to an issue relevant to their environment and experience.

3. Environment: The students are part of an environment that invites and supports experimentation. Where mistakes are seen as a vehicle toward a workable solution rather than a liability.

All around us, there are several issues that could benefit from similar workable solutions. The question is, are we creating an atmosphere that feeds good ideas?

Perspective

Ideas float

My belief is that ideas float. When we feel the gentle breeze of something that wants to live in the world, it is inviting us to share. If we fail to follow through on the this special moment, the idea will try its gentle breeze on another person, possibly someone more willing to breathe it into existence.

It’s best not to take the gentle breezes for granted. It’s in the nature of an idea to float.

Brand Strategy Growth Perspective

What you do best

The other day I worked with a phenomenal writer who is aspiring to write and produce a screenplay or television series. While discussing potential next moves, this person was adamant about exploring an idea that was far removed from writing. Their thought process was that this idea appeared to be low hanging fruit, in an industry already saturated with subpar ideas. Maybe success here could help support their true passion of writing down the road?

As we redirected the brainstorming session back towards a focused direction around their writing skills, a few key questions revealed the idea that really wanted to live. We started to grab the relevant pieces from that idea that seemed far removed, and uncovered a direction for a fresh idea that has much promise.

Sometimes, we can experience burnout and fatigue from trying to reach our goals, and it is tempting to explore something that is completely removed – Maybe even good? But when that far removed idea visits us, we should consider the relevant pieces. Because maybe what we really need is an inspired thought that allows us to look at something from a different angle. In these scenarios, how do we widen the possibilities and still honor what we do best?

Growth Perspective

Your next step

The only next step you can take is the one you’re sure of today. That step will influence future ones, some planned and some unaccounted for.

Thinking of all the steps required for our new project or idea can overwhelm us into a cycle of inaction, keeping us from the wisdom of what we know for sure. Plan accordingly, but in the moment, take the one step you’re sure of today.

 

Personal Growth

Room for one more

There is always room for one more. One more dream, one more good idea or one more person seeking to make a contribution in the world. Often we excuse ourself from ourself by saying there is no room.

If you dreamed one dream, you can dream another one.

If you discovered a good idea, you can discover another one.

If you know someone making a contribution in the world, so can you.

There is always room for one more.

Brand Strategy Brands

How to launch

When you launch a new product, service or idea, it has to be aligned to your truth. If you compromise, if you decide to play it safe or become something you’re not, you’ll lose. People will sense that something is off and a disconnection will take place on some level, even among the ones that decide it’s in their best interest to accept the delusion.