Want to come up with new ideas? Try the innovation equation.
1. Subtraction: Is there anything you can remove from the equation?
Sony removed the recording function to launch a new product: the Walkman.
Apple got rid of the headphone jack to create the AirPods.
🧵
2. Multiplication: Is there any element you can multiply?
Retina screens are the result of a multiplication of the number of pixels, leading to increased sharpness.
Dropbox stayed competitive by increasing storage space for their users over the years.
3. Division: Can you divide a problem or product into smaller elements and reorganise them?
Divide a laptop and extract the screen to get a tablet.
Divide a fridge and extract a drawer to get a cooling drawer.
Divide food into its nutrients to get nutritional supplements.
4. Task unification: Can several tasks be unified under a single element?
USB-C can transmit both data and power.
Dyson air purifiers can both cool and heat your house.
Smart speakers can play sound and listen to your voice.
Best example: the iPhone home button!
5. Attribute dependency: can you break existing dependencies or create new ones?
Break the water/phone dependency to invent waterproof smartphones.
Create a dependency between light levels and the shade of the glass to invent transition sunglasses.
The innovation equation works for problem solving, product development, writing, and more... I think any creative process would play well with it? 🤓
Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.
A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.