Innovative Concepts

Not All Tracks

Not all tracks take us on a remarkable journey. Some might be to a siding, rail yard, dockyard, or an abandoned line. When we strike out on an adventure, we are embracing the unknown. Worrying about ‘what if’ does little to depth and dimension to our experience. How might we ask ourselves if we are encountering a point of action or a point of information when we approach the next junction? It is easy to confuse an intersection of information for an action point and feel the urge to switch tracks. How might we embrace the ambiguity and serendipity fundamental to our quest?

Your Signature

What is uniquely you (or your cause)? How does it present itself? How playful are you in adding your secret signature/touch to the little details? Disney places ‘hidden Mickeys’ throughout their properties and products. There is a sub-culture of people looking for your niche and how it might present itself through your enterprise.

How might you add an extra touch to your signature?

Purpose Is More Powerful

Is the castle tower intended to be imposing, inspiring, fortifying, impressive, visible, instill a sense of security, defensive, offensive, a deposit for valuable, a landmark, or a symbol of power. It might be multiple things and more but it works better if we know the purpose before construction. We can build a better version when we know who we intend to serve and the primary function.

How might we clarify purpose before building? It might help us craft a better version.

This is not the sign you are looking for…

Outdated content that has been abandoned by the side of the trail is confusing at best and perhaps liter. Faded, inaccurate, confusing, and left over from a previous project. How many outdated messages do we leave throughout our organization? On our websites, in our facility, among our rituals, or even in current activities? Do we even see these legacy symbols anymore? Is there a process where someone outside our enterprise might help us identify what has become unseeable?

Enter Here

How we welcome those we aspire to serve makes a difference, and it establishes a mindset and displays our core values. There is an opportunity to design with intention, engage, inspire, and energize. Equally, one can create the mundane, limit expectations, and secure the lowest common denominator. How do you welcome your team members? Is it unique and worthy of comment, or does it feel like roll call in a high school classroom?

The Visible Unfinished Product

Making a finished product visible is a challenge for any work in progress. It might be easier with a brick-and-mortar project versus creating something entirely new. If we can attach an anchor point, others can join us on the belay ledge and watch us try to solve the next pitch as we climb upwards. If we leave our audience too far below or out of sight, our progress is anecdotal, and it is harder to sustain momentum. How might we bring our fans along on the journey? How might we offer a glimpse into what we are creating and how it will allow us to make a difference?