XVerse Lab - the origins

A year ago, when we were re-establishing ourselves as a research group within the organization, we had the opportunity to christen the name of our new lab space as we had moved to new premises post the Covid lockdown. I've always been fascinated with branding and had dabbled with helping a couple of start-ups with their names. So one day when suddenly my senior colleague and mentor approached me with the task of naming our new lab, within a very short span of time, I pounced upon the chance. I have loved reading the stories of how brand names came forth, of how they inspired people and their ideas, of how they have become eternal. And this, was my chance to make something become eternal beyond my time. I didn't want to stop with just naming the lab. I wanted the name to create a curiosity, a narrative that ignites imagination of a journey we were setting up for the future. I wanted the name to resonate and echo an immersion of digital experience, to communicate something intellectual to everyone who read it the first time.

And this is my short story of how I zeroed in on the name XVerse for our lab at Siemens.

As a growing teenager I was always fascinated by the animated series Powerpuff Girls among some others just for the ingenuity of the thought and a very unique concept, memorable characters, and distinctive art style. I was also drawn to its clever humor, vibrant animation, and empowering messages. And thus it became a cultural phenomenon and laid a lasting impression on my young mind to this date. I am a big, big fan of Mojo Jojo - the main antagonists in the animated television series! :D

Professor Utonium's laboratory is a prominent setting in The Powerpuff Girls series. It serves as the primary location where Professor Utonium conducts his scientific experiments and research. The laboratory is where the accidental creation of the Powerpuff Girls takes place. It is in this setting that Professor Utonium mixes the ingredients—sugar, spice, and everything nice—intending to create the perfect little girls. However, the addition of Chemical X leads to the creation of Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup, with their superpowers.

Apart from the creation of the Powerpuff Girls, the laboratory serves as a workspace for Professor Utonium's scientific endeavors. He conducts experiments, researches new discoveries, and invents various gadgets and solutions to combat the villains in Townsville.

The laboratory is a place of innovation and exploration, reflecting the professor's dedication to scientific advancement and his quest to make the world a better place. It is also a central location for important conversations and bonding moments between Professor Utonium and the Powerpuff Girls.

Overall, the laboratory represents the scientific prowess and creativity of Professor Utonium as he navigates the challenges of raising and protecting the Powerpuff Girls. This is where my imagination of the name took its roots. The fascination with the unknown, the limitless, and the extraordinary has always been a part of our human nature. Chemical X was my chief ingredient from Professor Utonium's lab. The letter "X" represented something mysterious, exciting, and unexplored. It represented:

1. Exploration and Discovery: The letter "X" is commonly associated with the unknown, representing areas yet to be explored or understood. It sparks curiosity and a desire to uncover hidden knowledge, whether it's in scientific research, space exploration, or other fields of discovery.?

2. Innovation and Advancement: The term "X" is often used to denote experimental or groundbreaking concepts. It is associated with innovation, pushing the boundaries of what is currently known or possible. People are drawn to the idea of progress and the potential for revolutionary ideas represented by "X."?

3. Popular Culture and Media: "X" has been extensively used in popular culture, movies, and branding to signify mystery, adventure, and excitement. This association has contributed to the fascination with the letter and its connotations.

4. A Sense of Possibility: "X" can also symbolize endless possibilities and limitless potential. It represents a blank canvas on which new ideas, inventions, and experiences can be imagined and realized. This sense of potential captivates people's imaginations and drives them to explore the unknown.

5. Linguistic Appeal: The letter "X" has a unique sound and visual appeal, often perceived as bold, strong, and enigmatic. Its distinctiveness can make it more memorable and attention-grabbing, further fueling the fascination with "X."

Ultimately, the fascination with "X" stems from our innate human curiosity, our desire for progress and adventure, and the allure of the unknown. It represents a world of possibilities waiting to be discovered and explored.

I was settled in my head on X.

Now came the part that had to extend beyond the curiosity and mysteriousness of X and give this a meaningful amalgamation, form a coherent unit to represent the idea of the areas we were intending to explore and design for—the multiple universes.

I imagined to equate this to the multiple digital paradigms that we designers need to create experiences for—from 2D to Virtual spaces, from pages to stages, from tactile to different other sensories. For the known and unknown. The vastness of this concept was fascinating to me. Each of the these concepts represented a universe of its own, muddled with challenges of their own, that we designers needed to discover, identify, and solve for. Thus birthed the second part of the name—Verse.

The concept of a "verse" can have different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. A few common interpretations are:

1. Poetry and Literature: In poetry and literature, a verse refers to a single line or unit of poetic writing. Verses are often organized into stanzas, which are groups of verses that form a coherent unit within a poem or song. Verses in poetry can follow specific rhyme schemes, meter patterns, or structural conventions.
2. Songwriting and Music: In the context of songwriting, a verse refers to a section of lyrics and melody within a song. Verses typically provide narrative or descriptive content and advance the storyline or theme of the song. In song structure, verses are often followed by a chorus or refrain and can be repeated or varied throughout the song.
3. Biblical and Religious Texts: In religious contexts, a verse is a distinct unit of text within a larger chapter or book. Verses are numbered for easy reference and citation. Each verse often contains a complete thought or idea and can be studied and analyzed individually or in relation to surrounding verses.
4. Multiverse Theory: In the realm of cosmology and speculative physics, the term "verse" is sometimes used as a shorthand for "universe" within the concept of the multiverse. It suggests the existence of multiple universes or parallel realities, each with its own distinct set of physical laws and properties.

The term "verse" is often used interchangeably with other terms, and its precise meaning can vary depending on the specific topic being discussed. And thus, when the two were put together, I originated the name—XVerse. The place where we have keen interest in seeking and discovering and solving the unknown for the various universes through design and technology.

Welcome, to the Siemens XVerse Lab.