Open 2011 - Creativity Workshop - Chindogu-The Japanese Art of Invention

Chindogu: the JapaneseArt of Invention

A hands-off workshop

NCIIA Conference 2011

© Francisco Ruiz, 2011

Dedicated to the Japanese people


Outline

Why?DefinitionsExamplesExercise 1More examplesExercise 2Reflection and take-aways

What's inside this logo?

Innovation Pyramid


Ventures

Business Plans

Prototypes

Ideas

Some definitions

Chindogu: [ ‘tʃin-do-goo ]= valuable/priceless tool

Developed by Kenji Kawakami:“101 unuseless Japanese inventions”

not really useless


Really “not-useful”?


The 10 rules of Chindogu 1. “A Chindogu cannot be for real use”

It must be an invention that is almost useless. If it turns out to be practical and that one can use it on a daily basis, it is not regarded as a Chindogu.

2. “A Chindogu must exist” It must be something that you can make and use. It cannot be just a mere idea or concept.

3. “Inherent in every Chindogu is the spirit of anarchy” They can be seen as a form of philosophy. The idea behind them is to challenge the

“suffocating historical dominance of conservative utility” by producing something that is almost completely useless.

4. “Chindogu are tools for everyday life” Since there is a certain critical philosophy behind them and thus are a “form of nonverbal

communication” they must be understandable to everyone. If it turns out that the philosophical idea behind the object is only understood by specialists, the invention cannot be called Chindogu.

5. “Chindogu are not for sale” They are not allowed to be sold to anyone, not even as a joke, otherwise the purity of the

intent is forfeit.


The 10 rules of Chindogu 6. “Humor must not be the sole reason for creating Chindogu”

Although they might seem funny or silly to people who look at them, they should not be produced for humorous reasons; they should be created to solve a problem.

7. “Chindogu is not propaganda” They are invented to solve a potential problem and to be used, at least in theory. “They

should not be created as a perverse or ironic comment on the sorry state of mankind.”

8. “Chindogu are never taboo” They are not allowed to cross the line. Their concepts may not contain any vulgarity, cruelty

or “debase the sanctity of living things” . E.g. sex toy inventions are not allowed.

9. “Chindogu cannot be patented” They cannot be patented or copyrighted, since they are produced to share a certain idea

which is there to be shared with everybody.

10. “Chindogu are without prejudice” They must not discriminate against anyone and should be able to be enjoyed by everyone,

not matter what race, age, gender or ethnic group they come from.


Chindogu vs. Patentable

Patentable:NewNot ObviousUseful

Chindogu:NewNot ObviousNot Useful (?)


Exercise 1: Chindogu


Draw a not-usefulidea for a personal item

Time: 10 minutes

USPTO Chindogu

Beerbrella United States Patent 6637447 Inventors: Mcmullin, Mason Schott (St. Louis, MO)

Bell, Robert Platt (Alexandria, VA) See, Mark Andrew (Alexandria, VA)

Application Number: 09/981966 Publication Date: 10/28/2003 Filing Date: 10/19/2001 Primary Class: 135/16 Other Classes: 206/217, 220/694


More than 100 years

Grave AlarmUS Pat. 500072 Issued 1893 Inventor: A. Lindquist


How many appliances to change a lightbulb?

Light bulb changer United States Patent 6826983 Inventors: Magdi, Thomas (Rockledge, FL) Application Number: 10/361528 Publication Date: 12/07/2004 Filing Date: 02/10/2003 Assignee: Magdi (Rockledge, FL) Primary Class: 81/53.11 Other Classes: 81/52


No comment


US Patent 3216423

Apparatus for Facilitating the Birth of a Child by Centrifugal Force

Issued 1965

Inventors: G. B. Blonsky C. E. Blonsky

Exercise 2: not-Chindogu


Draw a more usefulversion of your Chindogu

Time: 10 minutes

Why are we so hung up on usability?

For:Innovation requires a

userEfficiency with time

and resourcesQualityDesign optimization

Against:Users often can’t

formulate their needsFreedom and

creativityQuantityAvoiding local maxima


Local maxima


Invention as an Art

The classical Arts:PaintingSculptureMusicDanceLiteratureTheater

The modern Arts:Cinema (the 7th art)Video Games (adds interactivity)Invention (utilizes any material)


Recap


What did we learn?

How to use it in class?

Thanks!

Want to help pass the word?

[email protected]


Documents

Open 2011 - Creativity Workshop - Chindogu-The Japanese Art of Invention