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# Innovation for all
- URL: https://www.woll.io/journal/innovation/
- Published: 2020-05-11T08:40:00.000Z
- Updated: 2020-07-19T11:21:14.000Z
- Description: Who does not want to be innovative – having a great idea and bring a huge benefit to society? But it is easier said than done.
- Author: David Wollschlegel
- Tags: ZHdK, design, Interaction Design Methods, #Import 2025-08-30 22:09

Who does not want to be innovative – having a great idea and bring a huge benefit to society? But it is easier said than done.

## Innovation begins with an eye

To be innovative we need to go the the source of the problem. Rather than talk to experts and receive their biased opinion we should observe, interview and **experience** the people using the product or struggling with a certain problem.

### bug lists

If you need a problem to innovate on, just ask "why?" and "why not?" in your everyday life on everything you do. I think there are a lot of objects and services out there where the designer did not clearly think about the "why?" or it is not anymore the best way to certain things. All this objects and services are waiting for us to innovate on.

### accidentally innovate

We can not deny that innovation can also happen accidentally. For example the post-it adhesive:

> "In 1968, Dr. Spencer Silver, a scientist at 3M in the United States, was attempting to develop a super-strong adhesive. Instead, he accidentally created a "low-tack", reusable, pressure-sensitive adhesive." – [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-it\_Note](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-it%5FNote?ref=woll.io)

But me must make sure that we appreciate every result and evaluate it. Maybe the innovation is also hidden in our errors.

## Replication

A good example of "innovation for all" is the RepRap project. The RepRap is a 3D printer that is almost able self-replicate itself. Only a few parts need to be bought additionally. This makes the RepRap highly accessible for all.  
![reprap](https://www.woll.io/content/images/2020/05/reprap.jpg)

## What is innovation for me?

For me, innovation is creating something that people will think about afterwards: "Why haven't we always done it this way?"  
It is anything that frees us humans from unnecessary stuff and enable us to enjoy our life more.