How Planetary Thinking Drives Product Innovation and Economic Growth ????

Design has the power to change the world – and that often starts with a simple but powerful question: How can we create products that are not only economically successful but also positively impact our society and environment?

Today we are introducing part 1 from our newest 3-Step Series on "Applied Planetary Thinking." Let's sit down with Marius Schnabel and Antonio Kr?mer Fernandez from Intuity Media Lab to explore their newest case study and gain insights into their innovative processes.

Marius: Welcome, Toni! I'm excited to discuss your recent case study on planetary thinking, product innovation, and economic growth. Can you tell us about the key question driving your project?

Toni: Absolutely, Marius. Our key question is: How can we create products that are not only economically successful but also beneficial for society and our planet? We strongly believe that design has the power to transform both the economy and the environment.

Marius: That's a powerful idea. Why is product innovation so significant in this context??

Toni: There's this quote from John Culkin that nails it. He says, "We shape our tools, and thereafter our tools shape us." It's fascinating how much innovations, especially in urban areas, shape our social structures. Like, just look at how mobility solutions have completely changed the way we live and connect.

Marius: Absolutely, the car is a perfect example of how our innovations can shape our lives and our environment. It's like we created this tool, and now it's shaping us in return. But now, as we become more aware of the impact of our choices on the planet, we're starting to see a shift in how we approach urban design. What are some new market trends driven by this planetary thinking?

Toni: We're seeing this global shift towards pedestrian-friendly city centers with more green spaces and less traffic. There's this concept called "Superblocks" – basically, urban districts that prioritize pedestrians over cars. This change is leading to cleaner air, stronger communities, and new markets for innovative mobility solutions.

Marius: With these shifts come new challenges. Can you expand on that?

Toni: For sure, Marius. We're all familiar with electric scooters, right? They're great for getting around quickly. But when it comes to transporting goods without direct car access, like your weekly groceries or bulky items, that's where the real challenge lies. And this is exactly where we see a potential for innovative product solutions that can make life in these communities so much easier.

Marius: This sounds like a fantastic opportunity for innovators! What were your goals and expectations for this case study?

Toni: Our main goal was to explore a whole new way of thinking about sustainability. We started by envisioning what this preferable future might look like and then worked backwards to identify the challenges we would need to overcome and the potential innovative products that could help us get there.

Marius: So, it's about changing the way we think and exploring new possibilities? That's a really interesting approach. So, instead of just reacting to the problems we face today, you're proactively shaping the future.

Toni: Exactly! As innovators, we have the chance to create solutions that benefit both economic growth and sustainability. By looking at challenges through the lens of planetary thinking, we can find solutions that seem simple but are actually quite transformative. That's the beauty of this approach!

Marius: This is fascinating, Toni. Where can people find more information about your case study?

Toni: For all the curious minds out there, check out our new case study on the Intuity website. We'll be sharing the link in the comments. And if you don't want to miss part 2 of this series, make sure to follow us on LinkedIn!