Create Meaningful Stuff
We have too much choice. There are just too many products and services that add very little value to our lives. It is pretty obvious that our current industrial model is not necessarily improving our happiness. Moreover it is exhausting our planet. Luckily, there is a growing awareness amongst consumers and business leaders that the world needs smart, sustainable and meaningful products and services.
Creating and launching meaningful products and services in the connected era requires a radical transformation. On one hand, creativity needs to think beyond industry recipes. On the other hand, creativity requires rationality to convert ideas into revenue.
In Create Meaningful Stuff, we want to contribute to this important economic and societal transition. This is why we wrote this book. To share our vision on radical design and our methodology to create meaningful stuff. We hope that you will discover that Create Meaningful Stuff is not just about creating an object, but about creating an experience. The process in itself is always an incredible journey.
In chapter one, we explore current societal, economic and technological changes. These changes pose huge challenges. But creativity and holistic thinking will lead to radically new solutions.
Innovation starts with a deliberate investigation of future opportunities. In chapter two, we check how we can explore the future by keeping an open mind, by analyzing trends and by telling stories.
In chapter three, we explore how to come up with Design Challenges that create value for your future customers, but also for your future company. Future company? Yes, the world changes and so will your company.
Our Design Challenges will direct our creativity towards meaningful solutions. In chapter four, we explore observation, throw-away projects, prototyping and experimentation as a way to create new Design Directions.
Chapter five is about putting our Design Directions into context. Are there any showstoppers? Is the market ready? Are we ready? Are the ideas still valuable and meaningful outside of the lab?
Customers value products and services as a whole experience, from buying and learning to using and finally disposing. Design is not about shape, it is about creating a total experience, including the go-to-market.
Design is learning. It is about exploring new spaces, exploring new ways to do things. This will impact your organization, your processes, your team and you personally. Are you up for the challenge?