Innovation

“We are here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise why else even we be here?” – Steve Jobs

Innovation differs from Invention in that innovation refers to the use of a new idea or method, whereas invention refers more directly to the creation of the idea or method itself. We can all be innovators in our present realm of business. All entrepreneurs and business owners are innovators to some degree. But, those who truly make “a dent in the universe” are the ones for whom Innovation is way of life.

Innovation can be anything, from creating a new product or system to challenging the status quo. In business and economics, innovation is the catalyst to growth. It is the fodder for both start-ups and established businesses, which strive to satisfy the consumer base by constantly improving quality, durability and service by using advance technologies and strategies.

Innovation Life Cycle

Innovations maybe spread from innovator to other individuals or groups. Companies which innovate keep working on newer and more advanced systems in the way they deliver and improve the quality of what they deliver. Companies which become complacent and try to hang onto what they have (ignoring the importance of innovation) die a slow death.

So this New Year my resolution is to constantly innovate and challenge the status quo – to lead the pack from the front.

Have a PRODUCTIVE & INNOVATIVE 2012 !!!

Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:InnovationLifeCycle.jpg

Form follows ......... emotion

Form follows ......... function is a principle associated with modern architecture and industrial design in the 20^th century. It was the late 19^th century architect Louis H. Sullivan who coined this phrase “form (ever) follows function” in 1896 in his article “The tall office building artistically considered”. Sullivan developed the tall steel skyscraper in Chicago during this very time. His assistant Frank Lloyd Wright later adopted the same principle in a slightly different form.

Guggenheim Museum NY by Frank Lloyd Wright

This phrase became a battle-cry of Modernist Architects after 1930s which implied that all decorative elements (ornamental) were superfluous and the building design should be a direct reflection for the function it has been designed, making it simplistic and contemporary to look at. It is a belief very close to “Less is more” and which sheds all elements used for ornamentation of elements.

Nearly a century later Hartmut Esslinger (a German-American industrial designer) on the lines of this famous maxim re-coined it into his design principle “form follows emotion”. Esslinger is known for his ground-breaking designs from Apple, Lufthansa Airlines, Siemens, Motorola and many more. Speaking from a context of product design he says, “brand position is what counts, and brand goes back to the emotional content of products”. The future is in personalization and we as designers get hints on this every day.

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao by Frank Gehry

Frank Gehry’s design for Guggenheim museum in Bilbao is a perfect example of form following an individual’s emotion. Every owner or an architect has an emotional connect with its building, so it is natural for a building to be a confluence of the emotions of the architect and owners.

Ultimately a building does reflect the personal taste of the owner and the designer.

Image Source: http://www.e-architect.co.uk/bilbao/guggenheim_museum_bilbao.htm

http://www.nypi.net/new-york-solomon-r-guggenheim-museum/