Design Thinking was initially created by IDEO in the 70s as a framework for design with a more human-centric focus. While today Design Thinking means different things to different people, we like to see it as the Right Brain component of a brand development process, as the structural and philosophical scaffolding that brings clarity to a project and allows the creation of a brand story and captivating visuals.
Design thinking: A problem-solving method that puts the consumer's needs first.
It involves empathy, observing how people interact with their environments, and creating innovative solutions through an iterative process. This approach is "human-centered," meaning it focuses on how consumers use a product or service rather than assumptions about how they will use it.
Design thinking is essential because it helps organizations create value for consumers, solve complex problems, lead to more innovative solutions, and make organizations run more efficiently. It follows a five-stage process: empathizing, defining the problem, ideating, prototyping, and testing. It is widely used in private and public sectors for business and personal projects. It's also a process that creates systemic design solutions that can be applied internally and externally.
The design principles
The framework for innovation outlines four core principles for problem-solvers to adopt to work as effectively as possible.
- Put people first. Start with an understanding of the people using a service, their needs, strengths, and aspirations.
- Communicate visually and inclusively. Help people gain a shared understanding of the problem and ideas.
- Collaborate and co-create. Work together and get inspired by what others are doing.
- Iterate, iterate, iterate. Do this to spot errors early, avoid risk and build confidence in your ideas.
Systemic design can be very impactful, with the capability to connect silos and sectors. Not just as a drum to sell more stuff but as a finely tuned violin, an instrument to influence people’s hearts and minds.
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Strategy Delivers Clarity; Design Adds Excitement.
Expertise matters most when working with companies in the tech and manufacturing sectors. Helping them define their unique brand story and setting the stage for sustainable growth in the age of Digital Transformation is at the core of what we do.
Our business covers three segments: Consulting, Brand Development, and Creative. They are offered to complement each other for maximum firepower, but each module can also be booked “à la carte” to deliver the desired results. We work with start-ups refining their vision and with established companies calibrating their brand message and appearance.
Our job is always to offer a fresh perspective to common problems, an unbiased 10,000 ft view of a situation a company may be struggling with: How can we sell more? How can we expand our audience? How can we introduce a challenger product? How can we tap into a new market?
As a strategic branding and design team in Los Angeles and Munich, as Creative Business Consultants, we build B2B and consumer brands that are as successful in the US and Europe. With a strategy that delivers clarity and design that adds excitement.
The New Role Of The Designer
Today, designers have a critical role to play. Design builds a bridge between technical innovation and its application. And this is where it gets essential, not just in their application to the marketplace by introducing new products or services but also in their ability to promote change by making complex things understandable and relatable. Systemic design can be very impactful, with the capability to connect silos and sectors. Not just as a drum to sell more stuff, but as a finely tuned violin, an instrument to influence people’s hearts and minds.
NON-NEGOTIABLES
• We are valued for our creative thinking as the driving force behind innovation
• We use technology to augment our creative skills
• Our strength rests on our role as a node in a curated network of professional talent around the globe
• With our commitment to consistent reinvention, we have become agents of change in a fast-changing world
• Our clients expect us to challenge them by respecting what they want and suggesting what they need.
The Many Roles Within a Creative Agency
Looking at the complex task of implementing change takes a distinct group of actors leading the way:
SYSTEM THINKER
Someone who can see how everything is interconnected in a bigger picture and can zoom between the micro and the macro and across silos.
Core Objective: Seeing how everything is connected and interdependent. Finding the root of the problem and uncovering new perspectives, ensuring that all stakeholders are involved.
LEADER AND STORYTELLER
Someone who can tell a great story about what might be possible and why this is important, get buy-in from all levels, and have the tenacity to see the work through.
Core Objective: Create a bold brand story and encourage people to think more broadly and hopefully. Develop more comprehensive concepts of value and measure and demonstrate them.
DESIGNER AND MAKER
Someone who understands the power of design and innovation tools has the technical and creative skills to make things happen and ensure they are used early in work.
Core Objective: Design products, environment, and services that make it easy and desirable to live sustainably - circular, regenerative, and in harmony with nature.
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Now It's Your Turn
Expand your leadership in technology and manufacturing. We bring clarity to your message, promote your services, and make you and your products look amazing. Well-designed products sell more. Companies with a clear purpose have happy employees. Contact us.