When my company (Anthem) and I decided to start calling me their Digital Innovation Specialist, there was a lot of discussion about what that means. Innovation is a tricky word, because it simultaneously means a whole lot of different things and absolutely nothing, depending on your perspective. For me, it's inextricably bound to creativity, but not necessarily in the making of stuff; more in the way we think about things that are and things that can/will be.
Today, I was impressed by fellow Brandeis graduate Ari Teman's response below, in an interview with DesignBuzz.com back in 2007 (thanks to my wife for sending this to me). "Innovation is making people’s lives easier by thinking differently." That's pretty much what I try to do every day. Well done, sir.
4. What is innovation to you - design, technology or the creative processes itself?
Teman: Innovation is making people’s lives easier by thinking differently. I don’t think you can separate design from technology. Is great design the coolest abacus you can draw? No, I think it’s the latest computer nobody has even considered yet. Design is about advancing society. Throughout history people have thought they could make the world better just by making it prettier - that doesn’t work (and most of those people are considered dictators and war criminals now!). There’s a place for pretty things, but real beauty is one with function - and the creative process becomes obvious if the product is elegant.
Reviews, thoughts, images, articles and other content about digital media, real-time content, apps, advertising & technology that resonate with me.
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