What you need to know about Innovation

Dino Dini - Independent Game Developer and teacher of video game programming at the International Game

Architecture and Design programme, NHTV Breda University of Applied Science

In this talk I shall wonder purposefully, though aimlessly, through the topic of innovation.

START

Innovation is done with purpose, but without an aim.

START

Innovation is like a photon

As soon as it is observed, it is no longer innovation

You can only guess where it came from.. you can never be sure.

OLD IDEA

NEW IDEA?

You can spot something that others missed, of course

Wow, I don't think I've seen that before...

... but then why is everyone else blind to it?

Hey guys, look at this

You can't really innovate to order...

I'd like a very innovative steak and chips, medium rare please.

And if you try there's no way of knowing if it will work...

Here you are Sir.

I think all this gives innovation a bit of a bad reputation.

My usual please. Of course, Sir

Of course, the same old thing get's boring after a while

Menu

This 'Steak and Chips 13', What's new?

It's the same as 12, but with more chips. Oh and some chips are shaped like famous celebrities.

Good innovation is not about throwing away the rules...

OK everyone, it's time to innovate! Let's have your ideas! Anything goes!

Good innovation *is* about creating new rules connected to

the old rules.

The creation of an innovation is much like the creation of a work of

art.

How can you call that innovation?

I know it when I see it.

Try drawing inspiration from another field.

This is a common strategy for innovation.

ANTS

Ants are very good at following each other.

But if ants always follow each other...

NESTFOOD

Then they cannot survive

NEST

NEST

There are always more opportunities, but you have to

look for them...

FOOD

COMPANY

... just as companies must look for new ideas.

GREAT IDEA

?

COMPANY

Innovation is not a luxury. It is essential to long term survival.

GREAT IDEA

The search for innovation is an informed, blind search.

NEW IDEA

OLD IDEACOMPANY

I have no idea where I am going...

Members of organisations always feel pressure to conform.

NEW IDEA

OLD IDEA

Oi! Where are you going! Get back here!

He's always causing trouble!

COMPANY

NEST

Ants seem to have a small number of explorer ants who do not fear for their

safety.

FOOD

FOOD

GOOD LUCK!

NEST

They don't wait until current food sources run low.

FOOD

FOOD

NEST

As something looks promising more resources are put into that 'idea'

FOOD

FOOD

So what does this all mean?

A summary in ten points.

1)

Innovation is essential to long term survival

2)

Innovation requires an act of faith.

3)

Innovation can be achieved at small risk.

Start with small separate teams and assign more resources to new ideas

that look promising.

4)

Some people are born explorers.

Some people are born followers.

You should know which is which and get the right mix in your organisation

5)

Too much exploration leaves you with no form and no identity which is fatal

in the short term

Too little exploration is fatal in the long term.

6)

Once you have defined the parameters of the search, give your explorers complete freedom. Do not

interfere.

7)

Support your explorers for the long term, do not measure short term

results.

8)

Make this a continual proactive process, not just a reactive one.

9)

If you are an individual trying to innovate, split your time between

exploring and labouring. Always leave some time for exploring.

10)

When exploring, keep an open mind, take care of the journey and the discovery will take care of itself.

NEST

Happy Innovations!

FOOD

FOOD