The art of innovation.

We are living in a world where innovation is the key to success. According to John Maeda, that is all about combining science with art.

This design and technology expert claims that the human experience is always the direct or indirect cause of innovation. Those human experiences in turn are the result of the engagement with arts, for example listening to music or observing a painting. By putting art in a laboratory, the more sensitive and humanistic part of the scientist will be touched. As a result, innovation will happen more naturally.

Furthermore, he uses the example of Apple’s iPod. The ordinary MP3 player already existed in all kind of shapes and colors for quite a long time, until Steve Jobs made it more exciting by modifying the look. Finally, he created a device that everyone wanted to have and easily could integrate in their lifestyle.

Lennert Thomas and Dieter Slowack discussed in their previous blogs the success of biofuel and green cars. However, to my way of thinking, it isn’t so much the biofuel that is the main advantage to the people, but the futuristic and desirable design of those eccentric cars.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/nov/14/my-bright-idea-john-maeda

Matthias Sterckx,

Group 7