IBDP Design Technology - 5.2 Innovation

Innovation and Design / 5.2 /
Innovation

There are many different types of innovation. Designers will be successful in the marketplace when they solve long-standing problems, improve on existing solutions or find a “product gap”. The constant evaluation and redevelopment of products is key, with unbiased analysis of consumers and commercial opportunities.

5.2.1 | Invention and innovation

Invention is the creation of something new, while innovation is the implementation of something new. In other words, invention is the idea, while innovation is the process of turning that idea into a reality.

There are a number of reasons why few inventions become innovations. Here are some of the most common ones:

Cost: It can be expensive to develop and commercialize a new invention. Many inventors simply do not have the financial resources to bring their inventions to market.
Time: It can take a long time to develop and commercialize a new invention. Many inventors do not have the patience or perseverance to see their inventions through to the finish line.
Risk: There is a high risk of failure associated with developing and commercializing a new invention. Many investors are not willing to invest in inventions that have a high risk of failure.
Lack of market demand: Even if a new invention is technically feasible and affordable, there may not be a market for it. Many inventors fail to properly research the market before developing their inventions.
Competition: Even if there is a market for a new invention, there may be intense competition from other companies. Many inventors fail to develop a competitive advantage for their inventions.

In addition to these general reasons, there are also some specific reasons why few inventions become innovations in certain fields. For example, in the field of medicine, it can take many years and millions of dollars to bring a new drug to market. As a result, many pharmaceutical companies are reluctant to invest in new drugs that have a high risk of failure.

In the field of technology, it can be difficult to keep up with the rapid pace of change. New technologies are constantly being developed, which can make it difficult for inventors to stay ahead of the curve. As a result, many innovative technologies are quickly made obsolete by newer technologies.

The automobile, the plane and the television all were inventions that took decades to become innovations.

5.2.2 | Categories of innovation

Innovations can be categorized as follows:

Sustaining innovation is focused on improving existing products and services. It is typically incremental and builds on existing knowledge and technologies. Examples of sustaining innovation include:
- Apple's annual iPhone updates: Apple releases a new iPhone every year, with each model featuring incremental improvements over the previous model.
- Intel's "tick-tock" cycle: Intel releases a new processor architecture every other year, with each new architecture offering a significant performance improvement over the previous architecture.
- Colgate's toothpaste: Colgate has constantly innovated its toothpaste formulations, introducing new ingredients and technologies to improve oral health. This commitment to innovation has helped Colgate maintain its position as a leading toothpaste brand.
Disruptive innovation is focused on creating new products and services that disrupt existing markets. It is typically radical and breaks new ground. Examples of disruptive innovation include:
- The rise of streaming video: Streaming video services like Netflix and Hulu have disrupted the traditional cable TV industry.
- The rise of mobile banking: Mobile banking apps have disrupted the traditional banking industry.
- The transistor was invented in 1947 and quickly revolutionized the electronics industry. Transistors are smaller, more reliable, and more energy-efficient than vacuum tubes, the technology they replaced. This disruptive innovation made possible the development of new products such as radios, televisions, and computers.
Process innovation is focused on improving the way products and services are made or delivered. It can involve developing new manufacturing techniques, supply chain management systems, or customer service models. Examples of process innovation include:
- The assembly line: The assembly line was introduced by Henry Ford in 1913 and revolutionized the manufacturing industry. The assembly line allows workers to specialize in specific tasks, which improves efficiency and productivity. This process innovation has been widely adopted by manufacturers across all industries.
- Amazon's use of robotics in its warehouses: Amazon uses robots to pick and pack items in its warehouses, which has made its fulfillment process more efficient and cost-effective.
- Toyota's just-in-time manufacturing system: Toyota's just-in-time manufacturing system reduces inventory costs and improves product quality by only producing the parts and products that are needed at the time they are needed.

5.2.3 | Innovation strategies for design

Architectural innovation: This strategy involves changing the fundamental structure of a product or service.

The introduction of the electric car was an architectural innovation, as it replaced the internal combustion engine with an electric motor and battery.
The introduction of the cloud computing platform was an architectural innovation, as it moved the storage and processing of data to remote servers.
The introduction of the artificial intelligence (AI)-powered virtual assistant was an architectural innovation, as it replaced traditional human customer service representatives with AI-powered bots.

Modular innovation: This strategy involves breaking down a product or service into smaller modules that can be combined and recombined in different ways. This allows for greater customization and flexibility.

The introduction of the smartphone case was a modular innovation, as it allowed users to customize their smartphones with different designs and features.
The introduction of the 3D printer was a modular innovation, as it allowed users to create custom objects using a variety of materials.
The Lego system is a modular innovation, as it allows users to build a wide variety of structures using a limited set of basic components.

Configurational innovation: This strategy involves changing the way that existing components are configured to create new products or services.

The introduction of the self-checkout kiosk was a configurational innovation, as it used existing technologies, such as scanners and barcode readers, in a new way.
The introduction of the online learning platform was a configurational innovation, as it used existing technologies, such as video conferencing and online assessments, in a new way to deliver education remotely.
The introduction of the ride-sharing platform was a configurational innovation, as it used existing technologies, such as GPS and mobile payments, in a new way to connect passengers with drivers.

5.2.4 | Diffusion and Suppression of Innovation

Diffusion

Diffusion refers to the process by which an innovation spreads through a population or market. It involves the adoption of a new product, service, or idea by individuals, groups, or organizations over time.

An historical example is the diffusion of the personal computer: introduced in the late 1970s, but it took several years for it to become widely adopted. The diffusion of the personal computer was driven by a number of factors, including falling prices, increased performance, and the development of user-friendly software.

A more recent example is the popularity of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR): VR and AR technologies are becoming increasingly popular, with applications in gaming, entertainment, education, and training. The diffusion of these technologies is being fueled by advancements in hardware and software, as well as growing consumer interest.

Suppression

Suppression refers to the process of preventing or hindering the adoption of an innovation. It can involve actions taken by individuals, groups, or organizations to block the spread of an innovation, such as spreading misinformation, lobbying against its adoption, or even using legal means to prevent its use.

A historical example is the suppression of the printing press: The printing press was invented in the mid-15th century, but its adoption was suppressed in some countries due to concerns about its potential to spread heresy and dissent. The Catholic Church, for instance, placed restrictions on the printing and distribution of certain books.

A more recent example is the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies: The regulation of cryptocurrencies remains a complex and evolving issue, with different countries and jurisdictions adopting varying approaches. This uncertainty can hinder the diffusion of cryptocurrencies as a mainstream financial instrument.

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