Post-It Note Challenge

The Post-It Note Challenge is all about increasing pressure and getting the best out of your creative brain based on gut feelings and quick reactions. This is a great way to break the ice and warm up before a brainstorming session!

How to

To get started, choose a subject that you want to focus on to develop ideas. For example, let’s say we want to design the next stylish electric car.

With a stack of Post-It Notes and a black marker, identify a theme for your electric car. Let’s assume that your first idea is “Retro Electric Car.” Set your timer for sixty seconds and begin sketching what this new retro electric car may look like.

Once the time is up, everyone puts their markers down. Repeat the process again for thirty seconds, then fifteen, then ten, then five. The less time you have to think and react, the more pressure there is to come up with a quick idea. With less time to overthink things, you will discover that your initial idea was more often than not right!

Once you have finished the process several times, start sticking the Post-Its onto the wall and choose your favorite ideas—this will build a strong base for your next groundbreaking product.

Food for Thought

The purpose of these innovative exercises is to get you thinking in ways that you are not used to, rather than giving you the magical recipe for coming up with innovative ideas. As always, have fun—and don’t be surprised when you hit the innovation jackpot!

What exercises have you used or come across when working with highly innovative and creative teams? Share your exercises or how your experience was doing the Post-It note challenge by replying to this email.

Inspiring Quote

"The best ideas come as jokes. Make your thinking as funny as possible."

—David Ogilvy

Design Challenge

Every once in a while, I'll leave you with a challenge to stimulate your curiosity and encourage you to think outside the box. The more you exercise your creative muscle, the better and faster you'll become at it.

Imagine it's the year 3023 and the world has become extremely crowded and overpopulated, making it difficult to commute from one place to another. Just over 150 years ago, horses were used to transport people. Your task is to come up with ideas for how people might commute a thousand years from now. There's no wrong answer – let your creativity run wild and have fun!

Share your ideas by replying to this email, and I'll share the best ones in an upcoming newsletter.

January 4, 2023

A Story About Bubble Wrap & Innovative Persistence

Bubble wrap is one of the world's most iconic and beloved packaging materials. It has cushioned fragile products (and provided plenty of popping fun) since 1957. Bubble wrap is a unique combination of air bubbles and strong plastic film. Its air-filled pockets cushion against shock and vibration to ensure that whatever it's packed around stays safe until it reaches its destination. But have you ever wondered how bubble wrap came to be?

Bubble wrap's story began in 1957 with engineers Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes. The two had been experimenting with creating a three-dimensional plastic wallpaper. To create their wall covering, they sealed two plastic shower curtains together and injected air between the sheets. The concept was intriguing but not quite what the home design market was looking for.

They took their concept to another potential application - greenhouse insulation. Despite a promising initial response, the packaged air still wasn’t deemed practical. Fielding and Chavannes stayed persistent and continued to tinker with the concept, working through 400 different ideas over the years. They finally struck gold with IBM, who wanted to use their air-packed sheets for packaging and cushioning the first IBM 1401 computers. Their product finally found its suitable application, and the product - which was now called bubble wrap - was born.

Today, bubble wrap protects items in almost every industry: electronics, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and more. It carries on its legacy as a simple yet ingenious invention that revolutionizes how we package our goods. Fielding and Chavannes' persistence, flexibility, and openness to explore various ideas paid off, and now bubble wrap is here to stay.

The same persistence should be present in our designs and innovations. Whether you are looking to bring a product to market or enhance your current work, you may find that your first several attempts fail. But by pushing on and trying again, you may find the inspiration to create something incredible - just like Fielding and Chavannes did with bubble wrap.

The next time you struggle to think of a potential use case for your idea, grab the nearest roll of bubble wrap and take heart! You never know when your next iteration may be the one that packs a punch.

Inspiring Quote

"With any advent in technology, any technological innovation, there is the good and the bad."

—Henry Rollins

Boost Your Creativity in 2023

The Innovator's Handbook is your go-to guide to the essential steps of innovating. It is written for aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs, providing inspiring stories and practical exercises to help them reach their goals. At its core, the book provides readers with crucial insights into thinking differently, identifying problems, and using design thinking to create meaningful solutions.

Get the Book

December 21, 2022

How Asics Dropped An Egg to Enhance Running Shoe Design

In the world of performance running, Asics has quickly risen from its humble beginnings in the 1940s to become one of the most popular footwear brands for athletes. You may be surprised to learn that Asics was one of the first brands to use gel-based design to improve the cushioning and comfort of running shoes. But the Asics GEL technology was not a lucky break - the team behind the technology conducted extensive research and development to create a cushioning system that was both comfortable and durable.

The Asics design team started experimentation with gel technology by taking inspiration from observations of silicone gels used to reduce vibrations in machinery and appliances. They noticed that the silicone within the appliances acted as a shock absorber and cushioning agent, leading them to ask whether the same technology could be applied to running shoes.

To answer this question, the Asics team conducted a series of tests with their gel technology. The most famous of these tests was when they dropped an egg from 18 meters high and noticed that the silicone gel contained within the substance had been able to absorb much of the impact and protect the egg from breaking.

While the test proved the ability of the gel to absorb impact, they still faced the challenge of containing the semi-fluid substance within a shoe to cushion the foot while running and create a product that didn't break down too quickly. This is where their biometric and design technologies came into play. By inserting the gel into cavities in the sole of a shoe, they created a cushioning system that reduced impact while running and provided long-term durability. The result was the ASICS GT-II™ running shoe - the first-ever pair of performance running shoes with GEL cushioning.

For innovators, Asics is proof that there's always something new to discover. By taking a page out of a seemingly unrelated industry - appliances-they were able to develop a cushioning system that changed how athletes run for generations. Asics GEL technology has since become a staple in the design of performance running shoes and is just one example of how innovation can take current concepts and turn them into excellent products.

Even though there was a lack of initial interest in the windshield wiper, Anderson's invention has now become an integral part of automotive safety and convenience. Her patent (#743,801 Window Cleaning Device) is a testament to how curiosity in everyday routines can spark innovation. Curiosity makes us wonder - who knows how our roads might look today if she had never taken that rainy ride on the streetcar?

Inspiring Quote

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have."

—Maya Angelou

What If Nasa Designed a Futuristic Football Boot?

With the media surrounding the 2022 FIFA World Cup hype, there's never been a better time to push the limits of innovation in football boots.

I have been creating a series of "What If?", pairing up footwear and non-footwear brands to create some unexpected outcomes and create forced connections. My latest design concept is What If Nasa Designed a Futuristic Football Boot? In this concept, I have looked for ways to bring together two uniquely different universes - football and space exploration.

The NASA-inspired football boot has a futuristic, minimal aesthetic that can be seen from the upper through to the studs, which light up and activate gravity resistance sensors to enhance shot accuracies. The boot helps you defy the rules of gravity when playing in outer space, creating an entirely new dimension to the game.

More Here

December 8, 2022

How a Rainy Streetcar Ride Inspired The Windshield Wiper

We all know the frustration of a dysfunctional windshield wiper. The rain or snow hits the glass and obscures your vision, making it nearly impossible to see. Without a working wiper, driving goes from difficult to dangerous.

But have you ever wondered at the history of this simple but vital invention? The story begins with one woman, Mary Anderson, whose inventive mind was sparked by a rainy streetcar ride in New York City.

Mary Anderson was born and raised in Alabama. She wasn't an engineer or an inventor by trade, but a fateful trip to New York City in 1903 sparked her ingenuity. While riding on the streetcar, she noticed the driver had to frequently stop and clean off the windshield to keep it clear. The frustration of the driver (and the idea that a mechanical device could do it better) sparked the idea for Anderson's invention.

Upon returning to Birmingham, Anderson sketched out her idea and applied for a patent. The design involved a lever inside the car connected to a lever outside that moved a rubber blade back and forth across the windshield, wiping away rain and snow. Best of all, the design was fully removable. This capability meant that the design and appearance of the vehicle wouldn't be affected by the device.

Despite its obvious practicality, the invention didn't catch on with manufacturing firms. Historians have speculated that without a male relative to help her promote and market the invention, Anderson didn't have the credibility or the financial resources to bring her idea to fruition. While the patent was issued in 1903, it expired in 1920 without bringing in a single penny of profit.

Even though there was a lack of initial interest in the windshield wiper, Anderson's invention has now become an integral part of automotive safety and convenience. Her patent (#743,801 Window Cleaning Device) is a testament to how curiosity in everyday routines can spark innovation. Curiosity makes us wonder - who knows how our roads might look today if she had never taken that rainy ride on the streetcar?

Inspiring Quote

"Innovation is seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought."

—Dr. Albert Szent-Györgyi

The Chase Jarvis Live Show

I recently sat down with Chase Jarvis to discuss innovation, design, and my latest release, “The Innovator’s Handbook.” It was great to chat about how we can innovate by changing how we view our world. Click below to listen to the podcast episode on The Chase Jarvis Show.

Listen Now

November 24, 2022

James Dyson’s 5,126 Failures

Few names appear in more homes than Dyson. The vacuums - known for their sleek design, powerful suction, and iconic ball wheels - have become synonymous with quality and innovation. Many don't know that the man behind the machines, Sir James Dyson, is a fascinating individual with a unique approach to failure.

Dyson's story begins in the 1970s following a series of successful inventions. His focus on using a ball rather than a wheel to direct a wheelbarrow (to allow faster turns) earned him a small fortune. Soon, Dyson took his newfound knowledge of ball-based designs and applied it to a new project.

Dyson set out to solve two issues: how to create a bagless vacuum to increase reusability and how to reduce clogging in the system. He landed on the concept of cyclonic separation (air spinning quickly in a rotating pattern) to achieve both. However, it wasn't until he attempted and failed 5,126 times that he finally succeeded at using the concept to create a vacuum that cleaned efficiently but didn’t require a bag.

The 5,127th iteration of his design, the Dyson G-Force Cleaner, gained rave reviews in Japan. The UK market proved harder to crack. Every manufacturer he approached rejected his idea out of fear that the bagless concept threatened the paper bag market. Having overcome internal product failures, Dyson now faced an external one.

Dyson, however, continued in his persistence. He decided to take matters into his own hands and began selling the G-Force from his own company - Dyson Ltd. The company soon grew to become one of the world's most successful in the household goods market - including lighting solutions, air purification systems, wearable tech and more.

For some, this can be a demotivating experience that leads them to abandon their project. Dyson's story is a reminder that failure is an essential part of the process. Without his 5,126 failures, there would be no Dyson vacuum and no Dyson company.

When we seek to create something new, we must be prepared to fail and keep going until we succeed. Sir James Dyson is a shining example of what's possible when we embrace failure and use it as a stepping stone to something great.

Inspiring Quote

"Failure is so much more interesting because you learn from it."

—James Dyson

Invention: A Life

Learning more about the titans of industry can unlock our own innovative potential. Check out James Dyson's biography here and discover more about this brilliant journey. I really enjoyed reading his book and highly recommend it!

November 9, 2022

How The Printing Press Was Designed From Ordinary Innovations

There's nothing I love more than learning that everyday designs have unexpected and often ingenious origins. It's a reminder that curiosity is the mother of invention- that even the simplest things we take for granted can result from somebody's inventive spirit.

Take, for example, the invention of the printing press. You've likely heard of Johannes Gutenberg's famous invention that paved the way for mass literacy. But did you know that Gutenberg's design was inspired by a humble wine press (and a few curious additions?)

Born in the German town of Mainz in the early 1400s, Johannes Gutenberg was a goldsmith by trade. In those days, goldsmiths were highly skilled artisans who created beautiful jewelry and delicate metalwork.

Gutenberg ran into a career-defining moment when his metal mirrors failed to sell. Fortunately, rather than give up on his career, Gutenberg got creative to adapt his skills.

For years, putting ink to paper for publications required a labor-intensive process of copying text by hand. Gutenberg utilized his goldsmith skills to develop an ancient “copy and paste” method by using a winepress screw mechanism to press metal letter blocks evenly onto paper. Suddenly, it was possible to print multiple copies in a shorter amount of time.

Gutenberg's invention profoundly impacted the world, ushering in a new era of mass literacy and knowledge. While we often focus on the outcome of Gutenberg's invention- namely, the mass production of books, it was the journey that got him there. Gutenberg's willingness to combine his trade skills with his inventive spirit led to the creation of one of the most important inventions in human history.

When you find yourself at a crossroads in your innovation, take a page from Gutenberg's book and look at concepts with fresh eyes. By taking inspiration from the concepts of other industries, you may just stumble upon the next big thing.

Inspiring Quote

"Be wary of the ideas you inherit. Old conventions and previous forms are often accepted without question and, once accepted, they set a boundary around creativity."

—James Clear

The Innovator's Handbook

Want to learn more about how history's innovative minds can inspire us to create new concepts and bring them to life? Check out The Innovator's Handbook: A Short Guide to Unleashing Your Creative Mindset. In the Innovator's Handbook, I've brought together my experience as a designer, entrepreneur, and educator to show you how to unleash your creativity and bring new ideas to life. The book is packed with stories of real-world innovators and practical exercises to help you think like an inventor.

October 20, 2022

How Nature’s Process Created a Billion-Dollar Brand

When was the last time you put a problem under a microscope? In 1940, after George de Mestral went on a hunting trip with his dog through the Jura mountains in Switzerland, he did just that.

De Mestral returned home to find small cockle-burs attached to his clothes and hooked to his dog’s fur. Curious how the small burrs worked, the Swiss engineer inspected nature’s work under a microscope. And his biomimicry process began. The idea of taking elements of nature and emulating them to solve common problems was one of De Mestral’s specialties.

While looking at the magnified view of the sticky burs, he discovered a hook-and-loop process that allowed the burrs to attach themselves to clothes, hair, and fur. De Mestral, ever interested in how things work, was fascinated by the hooking process.

De Mestral took Mother Nature’s process to designers in the weaving industry to craft the first version of Velcro®. Though the inventor’s two fabric strips didn’t have a grandeur appearance, he was convinced it was the solution to common challenges.

One of the material strips was made of tiny hooks, much like the burs that stuck to his clothing. The second piece was a fuzzy, thick material to which the hooks could cling. During the 15 years between De Mestral’s hiking trip and the final iteration of Velcro®, a need for the product developed.

People wanted a simple, speedy way to fasten clothing. Velcro® was the answer no one realized they needed. What has turned into a modern, billion-dollar brand began with a simple walk outdoors. When we look closely enough, solutions can evolve from studying nature and applying its concepts to practical innovations.

What is nature telling you about your designs, innovations, and iterations? Can you pull from what already exists around us to solve problems?

Inspiring Quote

"There is no better designer than nature."

—Alexander McQueen

More Creativity to Come

What do a train and bird have in common? The unexpected duo was at the core of a biomimetic concept that led to the final iteration of the Shinkansen Bullet Train. See how a birdwatcher and engineer drastically reduced the noise level of an electric locomotive by meshing their ideas together.

October 5, 2022

More (and better) Creative Ideas in Under 10 Minutes

Even the best ideas aren’t always materialized when you’re left to your own devices, so it’s time to expand your thinking. Better ideas are born from collaboration. (It’s proven by science!)

With an innovative partner or an entire team, your creativity can’t be stopped. And that’s the goal of today’s exercise.

This practical exercise is called…

Group Sketching

Through the power of collaboration, you can revamp your creative juices and create a winning idea. With two…or three or four (or more!) colleagues, decide the topic for what product you want to design and ideate for, like a shoe or a building or a piece of furniture for example. One person begins their vision and another completes it. With each participant bringing a different perspective, you have the power to create a fresh design.

Example:
Each person gets a pencil and one sheet of paper. Have everyone write their name on the sheet and begin to sketch an idea for the chosen topic that you are designing for. Set a timer for a specific amount of time, but nothing too long. Start with 60 or 90 seconds and modify as needed.

When the timer “dings,” each participant will switch papers with the person sitting next to them. When your original paper gets back to you, round one of the sketching exercise is over.

Look at your sheet. It’s likely you won’t even recognize the sketch you started to create. And that is the good part! By collaborating with creatives around you, everyone is able to contribute to the end product and create whole new perspectives and ideas that you might have not thought of on your own.

Take a moment for everyone to review each final sketch. Then, discuss your perspectives and how each design differs from the others, or how it could be the base for a second round of sketching.

Be open to everyone’s ideas. What you may have never considered could be the improvement your sketch needed to create a uniquely innovative product.

We did this fun exercise a lot when I was working for different companies. Whether it was footwear or tech, the principles of how to generate new ideas apply to everyone and every industry.

Inspiring Quote

"Good ideas are always crazy,
until they’re not."

—Elon Musk

The Innovator's Handbook

Feeling inspired to find new ways to create or improve your ideas? The Innovator’s Handbook has inspiring stories and practical exercises you can complete to take your innovative skills to a new level.

Get the book

September 26, 2022

The Innovator’s Handbook (My New Book Launches Today)

The Innovator's Handbook

A Short Guide to Unleashing Your Creative Mindset

Hello friends,

I’m excited to announce that my book, The Innovator’s Handbook: A Short Guide to Unleashing Your Creative Mindset, is now available on Amazon!

The Innovator's Handbook is a short fun book filled with insights, stories, and actionable items that help shift your innovative mindset and inspire you when coming up with new ideas. The insights are a result of overlapping patterns I experienced while working with some of the world's most innovative companies and brilliant minds across different industries.

The book serves as a good fun read for every creator and creative trying to push the boundaries in their industry and come up with new ideas.

I hope you enjoy the book and share it with someone who might!

Available in Paperback and Ebook:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/173785080X

Order Now

September 22, 2022

Is This “Failed” Invention On Your Desk?

In the late 1960s, research chemist Spencer Silver was on a mission to create an extremely strong adhesive. He needed a formula so durable it could be used during aircraft construction. After multiple experimental mixtures, Silver had not only failed in crafting the powerful adhesive, but he had made just the opposite.

The chemist created an adhesive that stuck to surfaces and could be removed and reused. Although he didn’t have an immediate use for it, Silver patented the mixture known as acrylate copolymer microspheres in 1972. Today, that failed experiment is in nearly every office around the globe. Silver created the first iteration of the Post-It Note.

Silver understood the lesson that author and leadership expert John C. Maxwell shares in his work Failing Forward: find the unexpected gifts in failure. Despite having no purposeful use or support for his adhesive, Silver knew there was something to his creation. What was viewed as useless in 1968 became a highly sought-after solution in 1974.

In the six years between origination and launch, Silver could have easily given up on turning the sticky substance into a practical product. But Silver consistently believed in his vision even when others dismissed his work.

Patience and persistence are two must-have ingredients in your creative kitchen. Each failure carries three crucial lessons:

Every failure is an opportunity to improve
Every failure is a success story in the making
It’s completely ok that your first attempt isn’t perfect

Learning to fail is an invaluable process that allows unexpected ideas to flow forward. Like Silver, you may begin an iteration with a specific goal in mind. But being open to failure makes room for other successes to surface along the way.

Inspiring Quote

"There is no innovation and creativity without failure. Period."

—Brené Brown

The Innovator's Handbook

The Innovator’s Handbook: A Short Guide to Unleashing Your Creative Mindset, launched earlier this month. It’s amazing to see the stories and practical exercises in the book come to life by readers from around the world sharing their insights. Thank you for supporting the book into the #1 best-seller spot in multiple design and business categories on Amazon.

Available in both paperback and kindle versions.

Dream BIG, innovation has no limits!