Two Design Ideas

Two posts on unleashing the power of design:

1. A fantastic quote by Mark Parker, the new CEO of Nike. Parker says, “I see myself as a champion of design. If you are just trying to be safe, you become everybody else.”

2. Another great tension: We are moving from a consumption economy to a creative economy. That does not mean we are ceasing to consume. The United States economy remains (and will likely remain for generations to come) driven by the consumption of goods. Consumption may fundamentally change — we’re already seeing the rise of the Luxury of Ethics reshaping consumption patterns — but it will not disappear. How will your company carve out a unique and compelling space between these two opposing values — marry consumer creation and commerce? Will you find an authentic way to compete in this changing marketplace? And will you really internalize this shift as a fundamental piece of your business model or will it be just another one-off promotion?

We’re experiencing a new renaissance. As Douglas Rushkoff points out, this one is based in holism and grounded creativity. We have the tools to express and hone our creativity, the media to network to a collective wisdom and marketplace, and a flattened world in which desire is one of the few remaining points of difference between parity brands.

To misquote Mark Parker, playing it safe makes you just like everyone else. How are you going to stand out? And how will you Design a brand solution? How far are you willing to go?