The Internet of Things (IoT) is the rather simple concept of connecting any device to the Internet, and by extension to potentially any number of other devices. Included among these are “digital” devices which already have a built-in CPU and wireless communication technology, automobiles, and other mobility devices such as scooters, bikes and skates.… Read More
In light of Donald Trump’s frivolous withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, receive further information on the official site, it seems ironic to talk about what we designers can do to avert an ecological and human disaster – but I’ll try.… Read More
Norway: Fjords, Trolls and Vikings. Having worked with clients in Denmark, Sweden and Finland, Norway still was a blank spot on my Scandinavian experience map. When my daughter Anna announced that she wants to start her summer break by discovering Norway, I offered to be her travel buddy.… Read More
Starting in 2011, we finally have achieved our first big goal: graduating our first Advanced Class of Strategic Design & Innovation (SDI) at the DeTao-Studio Esslinger within SIVA (Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts). During the last 6 years, we have … Read More
Big Data is the new miracle tool in business and marketing to improve customer experience, used to drive more loyalty and sales – or even to predict future desires in product development. In reality though, Big Data is both promising (when used properly) and a curse (when used by naïve people). Any tool can be only as good as the professional using it, and there seems to be too much blind believing into what Big Data and “Data Analysts” – the new saviors everybody is calling for – can achieve.… Read More
The current big trend in business is “go digital or die”. This also applies more and more to easy-to-deliver physical products – 20 years after WebVan failed, even groceries are online again. The operational challenge for the industrial designer is … Read More
California to South Africa is a very far journey: first a cross-continental flight to New York, overnight hotel and then 14:30 hours to Johannesburg. Having been there a couple times (Design Indaba and a frog studio for some years after … Read More
Design, society and the economy are intertwined. With Donald Trump – a man of vulgar tastes and backward thinking – we need to prepare for the impact his reactionary policies will have on business and culture, both in the United … Read More
When it comes to innovation, established Market Research – be it by interviewing 5 people around the world and often writing a self-serving analysis, or by “1 – 10 monkey surveys” – is worthless. Steve Jobs agreed: “People don’t know … Read More
During my son Max’ spring break from Harbin University of Science and Technology where he studied Mandarin, we decided to visit Guilin and Yuangshuo in the south of China – known for its incredibly shaped Karst peaks, serene rivers and … Read More