Short - first - version of a larger talk about what design can bring to the technological innovation table. A longer - more recent - version has been prepared as part of my work at the Web Foundation, and is available here: http://public.webfoundation.org/2011/04/faster-horses-slow-elevators.pdf

1. Faster horses &
slow elevators
Where does innovation come from?
Franco Papeschi |
1

3. “If I’d asked my customers what they
wanted, they’d have said a faster horse”
– Henry Ford

4. New York,
XIX Century

5. Horses cause troubles
They break down
They create accidents
They pollute the city
They spread deadly
diseases

6. Don’t ask
Vs
Ask better

7. Declared preference
Vs
Revealed preference

8. Is this enough
to be innovative?

9. An example
Slow elevators

10. New York, XIX Century
Photo by by Steve Snodgrass | Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevensnodgrass/4017403148

11. Photo by by milesgehm | Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/milesgehm/3130509251 11

12. What’s the message?
Problem Immediate
perceived solution
Why is How else?
this problem?
Why else is How else?
this problem?

13. What to do?

14. Organise a meeting
Organise a workshop
to explore different ideas
for your next product

15. What you need
Post-its, markers and papers People
Some space Time

16. Who
People to bounce ideas
with
From 3 to 7 people
Extremes rather than the middle
People who can see alternatives
People who care
Photo by by Franco Papeschi | Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)
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17. Who
A facilitator (sometimes)
Introduces and stimulate conversation
Doesn’t impose his/her point of view, but allows
ideas from other people instead
reminds basic rules
Keeps time
Controls group dynamics

18. Where
A comfortable and creative space
Somewhere that fits the number of people
Somewhere with all the tools available
Unfamiliar is better than familiar

19. Tips

20. Timebox activities
Photo by by Wonderlane | Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderlane/2867240476

21. Go for quantity
Photo by by Franco Papeschi | Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

22. Photo by by procsilas | Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/procsilas/306417902
No computer, mobiles
or unplanned interruptions,
if possible
22
Copyright © 2011. World Wide Web Foundation. All rights
reserved

23. Ask participants
to write and share
ALL ideas
Photo by by Franco Papeschi | Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)
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24. Photo by by pedrosimoes7 | Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pedrosimoes7/3717536433
One conversation
at the time
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25. Say NO
to NOs
and
judgements
Photo by by Sudhamshu | Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sudhamshu/3202963823 25

26. There is no BOSS
And especially no
bossy behaviours
Photo by by Binder.donedat | Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/binderdonedat/5113324856 26

27. Separate creative and evaluative
activities
Photo by by Nina Matthews Photography(find me on FB | Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21560098@N06/4260085353/

28. At the end…
It’s mostly about
collaboration

31. Thanks
Franco Papeschi |
31