Design Thinking for Innovation
Design thinking is looking at a problem we want to tackle with a growth mindset. We focus on the present, look at outside information for help and learn from our customers. We cannot rely only on data for results as innovation is driven by customer focus and empathy and a new approach to thinking.
Let us start by looking at three areas of Design thinking:
The key to a growth mindset is to accept fear and uncertainty, seek new experiences & build a broad repertoire. This means taking small risks often, managing these risks through fast actions, and finding multiple opportunities to succeed more often in new situations.
Doing what we have always done is safe, but innovation and new ideas, drives new profits and helps us to understand our clients’ needs in this moment. Whiteboarding, photographs, images, logos & 3D models are key for helping us visualize these ideas.
Innovation can be developing new products or moving into new markets, which may be key in the current climate for some businesses as the world changes due to COVID-19. It may be automating or being more efficient with the processes you have in place and doing things smarter. It may also be exploring new ways of designing or manufacturing the products you produce, using things like 3D printing, robotics, or the latest machinery. It can mean working more collaboratively and sharing data across teams.
The need for innovation is critical for businesses to succeed, this is clear to see in today’s climate. Consider the Kodak Vs Apple approach, where the marketplace for 35mm film turned digital and now comes within a device that provides a multitude of additional features. Such features have made the iPhone one of the most popular and successful devices worldwide.
Whilst many businesses realize the importance of innovation, many fall short mainly due to the challenges around time constraints and available capacity. Not only this, investing in something that is unknown at the time is difficult to justify causing many to stick with what they know.
The difference it makes to think outside of the box is evident within Houdini Marine. Implementing automation within their design process has reduced bespoke pattern design from 2 hours to 5 minutes. What used to take a three-man team now only requires the one, providing the additional engineers time to undertake more value-added tasks together with an increase in orders.
Since implementing design automation supported by Symetri, the business has seen an increase of 40% within their annual revenue – this is the business transformation that automation and more importantly innovation can achieve.
For further information on this case study click here.
To support such challenges, we have created a selection of videos to support our clients in understanding the ways in which they can automate, releasing precious time that they can utilize for value added activities such as innovation.
Automation itself comes in many forms including day to day productivity within the use of Autodesk Inventor, linking 3D models directly with machines on the shop floor, automating the control of documentation release all the way through to full e-commerce on-line product configurators to support the market desire for mass customization.
The fact is automation means different things to different organizations. Exploring the potential of automation is the first step in measuring the potential return – what is possible? To support customers within this review, we will also be hosting a surgery where customers can book a free 1:1 appointment with our consultant.
In addition to the set of videos, we will also be hosting a series of webinars to review these areas in more detail and provide information on additional funding available to support innovation.
In these sessions we will look at how iLogic is used to standardise and automation design processes, explore the reasons why we should innovate & how we can get away from a fixed mindset, moving slowly into a more creative & innovative way of thinking. We will look at how automation can drive new innovation, specifically focusing within product design and manufacturing businesses.
Videos can be viewed on YouTube by clicking the links below:
Note: the below video recordings were created by Excitech prior to becoming Symetri in January 2021, following its acquisition by Addnode Group. All Excitech products, services and solutions mentioned in these recordings are available through Symetri.
For more information on Design Automation, watch our recent webinar recording by clicking on the links below:
Introduction to iLogic:
iLogic is included within the Autodesk Inventor application and enables rule-based design, providing a simple way to capture and reuse your work. This short webinar shows users how iLogic can be used to standardise and automate design processes and configure virtual products. Watch recording here.
Innovation with Design Thinking:
In this webinar, we talk about the importance of innovation and adjusting to your customer’s needs. Several tools are suggested and we provide guidance to help you find better ways of doing things with the customer in mind. Watch recording here.
Driving Innovation through Automation:
This webinar outlines several practical areas where you can add automation to your processes, which will help you benefit from day to day productivity gains all the way through to full product design automation with on-line configurators. Watch recording here.
For more information on Design Automation, please visit our website: https://www.symetri.co.uk/en/product-design-lifecycle/configuration-automation/design-automation/
