I really like Jim’s illustration of the birth of a big idea:

This schematic picture is not only a great - because of it’s simplicity - explanation of the (at least one-person) innovation process it also describes the differences between data, information and knowledge according to Helmut Willke.
But in this context there is no knowledge till the solution. ??? Sorry - to fast. So one step back because to my mind this description is worth to know. There is some data - after you’ve extracted the problem out of it, you call it information. So it’s data that has relevance for you. In the next step you “mix it up” with existing information in your memory and ….. now you have the solution. This combination with other relevant information is called knowledge.
So - enough academic drivel for today

dissertation, general | No Comments »

This year Peugeot holds it’s 5th design contest an invites (hobby) designers from all over the world to participate. Currently the 29 finalists are elected an one project attracted my attention:
ego by Emre YAZICI (Turkey)

It is easy to own, easy to maintain, and easy to operate. And, most importantly, it is easy on the environment. The majority of the vehicles at the rush-hour in a big city, carry a single passenger.
It reminds me a bit of a next level version of the BMW C1 motorcycle but imho this could be one of the future transportation concepts: not at least because of the individuality aspect!

adaption, products | No Comments »

“I always tell people internally that You Have to Shoot to Score. If you don’t take risks, you’re not a truly entrepreneurial company. And for companies to move from start-up to high-growth and sustain that growth over time, they have to continually be taking risks. 50+% growth only lasts so many years without it. Trying new things. Developing new products or permutations of products. Making acquisitions. Making an out-of-the-box hire. Entering a new market. Morphing a pricing model or service delivery model. You get the idea.”
(Scott Goodson)

To my mind that’s the point that distinguishes an entrepeneur from one that has not enough entrepreneurial spirit. You need to have the heart to DO things und to keep on trying!

quotes | No Comments »

Photron announced that it’s Fastcam SA1 will be used at the Olympic Games in Bejing. Capable of over 5,000 full frames per second (fps) at mega pixel (1K x 1K) resolution, the brand new CMOS sensor provides true twelve bit pixel depth and is now capable of reduced resolution faster than 650,000 fps!
Eventhough the innovation step is just an incremental one I really recommend to watch this video. Another proof for the good old saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words!” And now you may guess how cool it might be if there are 5,000 pictures every second - in contrast to 5 million words

youtube video (Embedding disabled by request):
High Speed Camera of Balloon Full Of Water Popped

adaption, technology | No Comments »

… the Napkin PC!

This PC design by Avery Holleman has won the 1st Place Judges Award and the Chairman’s Award at the NextGen PC Design Competition. The Napkin PC is a multi-user, multi-interface, modular computer designed for creative professionals to collaborate and bring their greatest ideas to life. Typical usage scenarios should be a brainstorming process and as a replacement for printing.

Congratulation to the desinger! This is a real great idea. The only stumbling block is limited usability. So I’m anxious to test the product in a daily business scenario.

new, products | No Comments »