What do the 1981 design of MTV's logo, the concept for the elliptical trainer, and the Bravo reality series "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" have in common? At least one thing - observation as the catalyzing force for inspiration that led to invention and continuing innovation. Observation of oneself, observation of others, observation of seemingly inanimate or mundane objects in the environment. And I'll add - observing off the beaten path.
In Tom Kelley's book The Art of Innovation, he describes how Larry Miller's elliptical trainer was inspired by noticing the natural movement of his daughter’s legs when she ran.
One of the exec producers of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy said his inspiration for the show came when he saw a woman criticizing her husband in a NY gallery and 3 gay men "came to his rescue" -- (I don't know any more of the specific details (Does anyone out there?))
While working at MTV, Fred Seibert taught himself to design album covers for his own company, Oblivion Records - and his approach was largely inspired by the innovative graphic design and packaging that came out of Columbia records in the 60's and 70's. When it came time to create a visual identity for MTV, his model was album covers and not the CBS Eye logo. The first version of the famous "M" in MTV was inspired when one of the designers from a small company commissioned by Fred (called Manhattan Design) walked past a graffiti encrusted wall at a school yard. In that moment of observation and inspiration she realized that MTV's logo had to be made of three-dimensional letters that echoed street culture. And the initial idea for an identity was born. (For a longer piece on this see The instigator: Fred Seibert By Steven Heller.)
What all of these stories - from different industries and periods of time have in common - is the art and business translation of observation - and an echo of that moral "some of the best ideas come from unexpected sources." (Remember the waffle iron and the Nike shoe sole?) What are your best unexpected sources? How do you keep your eyes (and your self) open to them?
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