Tag Archives: creativity

Embrace Ideas

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I recently saw an article at Yanko Design on a designers “vision” for a Harley Davidson – circa 2020.

Somebody pass me a helmet and a time travel ship because if this is what Harley bikes look like in 10 years, I’m so there. Designer Miguel Cotto pays homage to the big road hogs by keeping the large 883cc engine, complete with high revs and roars. The similarities end there. The design is almost tron-like in execution. Check out the wheel hubs. They’re actually giant bearings. I do see glimpses of Harley DNA in the center chassis but seriously, can you image any road warriors riding this?

harley davidson 2020

What stunned me was the viciousness of the commentors’ criticism.

Hollow wheels: check. Utter lack of engineering know-how: check. Co-opting a brand that would never consider such a radical departure from their established aesthetic, much less one so shitty: check indeed.

This is a generic third-rate set of renders, and this is a designer I would expect is starving, given the stark lack of quality in his work.

and

Its funny…..you can always tell when somebody who is not familiar with the product that they are designing. So in the future safety and comfortability are a thing of the past? hmmm……can’t wait!

But there were some who had an open mind:

You folks need to let go of reality and just look at it for what it is; Wicked. I’m sure it can inspire someone to try something new. I think it would evolve into something a younger generation would want, rather than the old guard.

I was surprised that most of those who commented attacked the presentation of the idea or the idea itself. Virtually no one took the leap and “ran with the idea“. On a site and in a forum focused on presenting new designs and stretching the imagination this was really disappointing.

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11 Creativity bites

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I recently pick up the following bites (or bytes?) on the subject of creativity.

  1. Creativity does not exist in a vacuum.
  2. Creativity is free, work is where the value is.
  3. Creativity is better shared.
  4. Creativity can be fostered.
  5. Creativity is not Design

via: YANKO DESIGN

And from Nigel Collin from Sydney Australia – 6 ways to frustrate creative people

  1. Tell them how to do something.
  2. Don’t respect them.
  3. Give them loads of red tape.
  4. Don’t tolerate their mistakes.
  5. Lock them into a finite process.
  6. Lock them into 9 to 5.

What do you think?

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Is the Boss always the problem?

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I’ve commented recently on the need to retain an innovative mindset to make the best of the current economic situation. In fact I’m certain that those who are creative at this time are building innovative businesses for the future.

But whagordon-ramseyt about everyone else? I’m not really a TV watcher but One Reality TV genre has me facinated and is providing some insights. It’s the “business makeover” show. You know the type – Gordon Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares, Ruth Watson as The Hotel Inspector, and Tabatha Coffey’s Salon Makeovers. I’m sure there’s others.

I know that these are highly produced and edited for dramatic effect – BUT – they all have a common thread.

The Boss is always the problem.


So this made me think. If these programs highlight bad operators, what are the characteristics of a good operator? Here’s a list that I’ve put together (in no particular order). What would you add or take off this list? Leave me a comment and let me know.

  1. Understand why customers choose you and make that experience better.
  2. Value every customer and put a value on every customer.
  3. Provides value to the customers (note: this does not mean cheap!)
  4. Builds good people and trusts them to deliver.
  5. Invests in quality infrastructure, systems and processes.
  6. Looks for ways to maximize revenue.
  7. Watches the pennies.
  8. Builds trusted relationships with experts and advisors.
  9. Doesn’t do things just because everyone else does.
  10. Doesn’t over complicate things (keeps it simple).

All these characteristics create an environment where the objectives of the business are clear, risks are managed, and opportunities for creative thought are encouraged, welcomed, and actioned. So, if you’re the Boss get your head around this list. And you can’t don’t blame the troops, they’re doing the best they can in environment you’ve created for them. Go set the example and they will follow.

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