INVENTION BONE

  We wanted to use this post to say hello and introduce ourselves. You've probably seen a few posts from us over the past few weeks, so we thought we should tell you a little bit more about ourselves.

Invention Bone is a creative consultancy which was started by a couple of friends who met at Central St. Martins College of Art and Design–part of the University of the Arts, London. We wanted to form a creative consultancy which could support others to utilise the most powerful tool all of us have... our imagination.

We believe everyone has a great imagination, and it can be used for so much more than just conjuring the pretty surreal dreams we all have at times. You see, we can apply our imagination to so many things in life. By doing so we can navigate problems in a different way, we can try the things we were always afraid to and we can create things people have never seen before.

At Invention Bone our goal is empower imagination to be used, predominantly, for social good. Ultimately we want to engineer bridges within the community, to aid the evolution of a more promising future.

How do we do this? By fostering the ability for organisations and businesses to imagine the new, placing emphasis on a collaborative culture which challenges current thinking–within a thought provoking environment.

As a creative consultancy we offer services like graphic design, product design and filmmaking. However we see these services as tools to ultimately apply the new ideas we work with our clients to develop.

And why the name? Well as we said before we believe everyone has an imagination. It's an innate part of us and something we can either choose to use or not. So just like our bones, which are a part of us, so is the ability to invent, create and imagine. Hence Invention Bone.

Well we hope that introduction has helped you understand more about us. As time goes on and we post more and more, we're sure you'll get to know us more and more.

If anything in this post has piqued your interest then please do get in touch with us. We'd love to hear from you: [email protected].

Until next time.

Visiting your old studying stomping ground is a surreal and equally exciting experience. I walked through the doors of Central St. Martins, in the middle of the new Kings Cross development, and the nostalgia hit me. This was the place I studied for two years of my life. It was a place I loved and loathed in equal measure... as any student feels about their University at times.

However this time, walking through the doors, I also felt a buzz of excitement–as the school’s degree shows were taking place. We visited week two of the degree shows, with courses such as BA Graphic Design, BA Fashion, MA Industrial Design exhibiting.

In this post I want to briefly talk about two projects which stood out to me, because they focused on one theme which intrigues me.

A few years ago the advent of the smartphone and the development of other types of personal and social technology presented a brave new world to us all. It was a world where we would be more connected than ever with each other. Technology would give us all the ability to connect with our real world in a deeper way... or so I believed.

But what has actually happened, I argue, is that technology has made as more insular and introvert. We have gotten so used to social networking that our face-to-face social interactions have become awkward affairs. We have become so dependent on technology that our hands innately reach for our smartphone if we have been without it for a few minutes. The device which was meant to connect us has actually turned into a distraction when I meet up with a friend for dinner. I’m so consumed with taking a picture when I see something beautiful that I forget to look with my own eyes and feel everything that naturally comes attached with such a sight.

So is the solution to burn all technology and start all over again? No. There are many wonderful things which personal technology has afforded us. But I think on the sliding scale of technology interaction vs. social interaction we have gone too far.

I believe some of the projects I saw at the degree show are trying to redress this balance. To not do away with technology altogether but to find ourselves, and each other, in technology again.

Gexiang Wang’s (www.gexiangwang.com) (BA Product Design) Nokia Memory Box is a wonderful innovation whose basic principle is about bringing people together through photos. The memory box works by using a mini-wireless printer built within the box’s lid, which drops photos into the box for safe storage. The aim is then, at a later date, to open the box with your family and friends around you and share – in a tangible form – your memories once again.

I think Gexiang’s idea is a wonderful method of using technology as the centre of group social interaction. It utilises something that’s useful about technology, along with the wonderful experience of sharing memories with friends and family.

Cecilia Chen (www.ceciliachendesign.com) (MA Industrial Design) has developed a rather humorous and thought-provoking concept to my greatest annoyance of people not paying attention during dinner.

Her project ‘WEIGHING UP THE SMARTPHONE PARADOX’ “...lliterally strikes a balance in our addiction to mobile technology through two sets of specially designed scales. For each set of scales, one end of the crossbeam is attached to a plate holder on which each diner’s plate is placed. The other end has a phone holder attached to it where each diner’s companion’s phone is locked using a small clamp. When the food arrives and the plate is placed on the holder, the scale is balanced so that the plate sits perfectly on the table while the phone hovers mid-air. If one diner’s companion wants to use his phone he will have to press down on the screen of the phone causing the diner’s plate to lift up at the other end of the scale, spilling the food.”

http://vimeo.com/68676258

What I love about Cecilia’s idea is that it is obviously extravagant, and possibly over engineered, but what it does is spark conversation and self-reflection–through humor. I love how industrial design, in this scenario, is used to spark conversation rather than solve a usability problem.

As a founder of Invention Bone, I loved how both of these ideas epitomise our belief that creativity can be used for social good. Although they were very different projects they focused on bringing people together and use creativity (technology) as vehicles to achieve this.

Until next time,

Here at Invention Bone, we try to bring together amazing people to allow ideas to emerge through Events and Workshops by asking better questions. Often we ask questions to ourselves to ensure we are asking the right questions, to the right people at the right time: -

·    What are the emerging areas of design practice?

·    How do we as Designers become relevant?

·    Are Designers at the heart of the global socio economic crisis solution?

·    What’s the fine line between cutting edge and obsolete?

·    The design practice is changing - How do we promote working in an interdisciplinary way?

·    Are Designers becoming more facilitators of ideas than specialists in one field?

·    What are the… emerging areas of Design Practice? Designs of the Time?

It’s not enough to just collaborate and design. We need to produce and sustain them together through an effective and efficient Design Service. We need to learn and think about what we are actually doing all of the time, evolving and reiterating as people through the designs we create. To ensure we do this, there is a fundamental need to keep current, and inspire the next generation to continue asking these questions with us, eventually superseding us and asking them for us, and the generations after them…

For the past three years we have been involved in the Designed. In Cornwall Event. This is an annual pioneering event that celebrates design and technology excellence within the county’s Secondary Schools and Further Education Colleges.

The structure of the event focuses around three key features: -

·    An Awards Ceremony to celebrate the achievements of all the participants

·    A School Day that includes some of the UKs most creative designers presenting their case for why theirs was the best, or most inspiring area of design

·    An opportunity for members of the public to view the Designed. In Cornwall Exhibition

We are hoping more events like this are developed and delivered. It is fundamentally and strategically important for us to nurture design talent and provide the environment that enables such talent to flourish. This would give any Designer a unique opportunity to spot and encourage the design talent of the future.

As a Design Facilitator do YOU need an event or exhibition to empower you?

Please contact [email protected] for more details on support holding an event just like Designed. In Cornwall..

Until next time,

Revisiting the University where you discovered what type of designer you are is forever nostalgic.

CSM graduates exhibited for the second year at 1 Granary Square, Kings Cross from 18th – 23rd June. As you approach the extraordinary new campus surrounded by construction sites, you feel like you're stepping into an environment that is embracing change. Amongst the creative community, there is an understanding that we are on a crest of social change. Confidence was high between the IB Team that we would see strong evidence that CSM is evolving individuals who will ride this new wave with us!

There was an aura of energy that greeted you on arrival. We were given a map with clear way finding – the BA and MA courses were clearly listed – so therefore could commence the exploration of this years shows with ease.

There has always been a fine (or blurred) line between ownership over an idea – regardless of design discipline whether it is graphics, illustrations, products, narrative environments, animation, and so on. Through the years I have been learning and practising as a design professional, I have seen a shift from keeping your ideas too close – from another person or entity – to embracing a creative process that integrates collaboration, conversation, and reiteration with testing. This mature and unselfish approach welcomes feedback and sharing, allowing you to design for the "Greater Good."

Students were producing artefacts to get people conversing, socialising, exchanging knowledge – offline and online – and there was an extraordinary degree of cross-pollination between the disciplines. This was more evident within BA Graphic Design, BA Product Design, MA Communication Design, MA Industrial Design and MA Innovation Management. This cross-pollination is refreshing – the dynamics of design education is now mimicking the design Industries dynamics more. Everyone requires additional skill sets to what they have – If someone doesn’t believe this, they then are kidding themselves! Therefore... collaborating with others to achieve the end results you imagined, is one of the most important transferable skills to master. The less feedback you have, the less refined your artefact is. The production of tangible artefacts, allows you to challenge whether you have developed the right question or design brief to begin with based on feedback.

On a number of design courses, there were two types of projects. One “Self-Initiated Project” and a “Client Project.” The difference? One was a self-written brief usually surrounding the student’s interests, and the other; a tailored brief supplied by a sponsoring organisation for example John Lewis, Alessi, Nokia and Unilever. At the beginning of the day, I thought that having tailored briefs could restrict the creativity of the students. However, as the day progressed it was evident that the interaction and feedback with an entity outside of CSM, would enhance skill-sets, paint the picture of the “real world” and potentially generate post-graduation opportunities. These opportunities may take shape in the form of an internship, work experience, junior position, and consulting or freelance projects.

There was a selection of well-executed solutions that shone out due to the collaborative path they had taken. Each research project mentioned is intriguing, however, personally I am more interested in what the individual will do next, and whom they will work with using their social enterprising forward-thinking;

The CRAFTED Network, produced by Ian Thomas, worked with a weaver, blacksmith and carpenter to create different artefacts using their specialist skill-set and techniques. The handmade artefacts were a refreshing change from the laptops, Macs and mobile devices.

ADORN guestlight, produced by Alfy Fowler, is a wedding guestlight memento. The guestlight works by providing a guestbook experience for the Bride & Grooms guest, whilst producing a keepsake for their home. The product itself asks others to collaborate to form a co-designed product.

NOKIA Memory Box, produced by Gexiang Wang, is a device produced following a brief written by Nokia. The Memory Box preserves every precious moment of your life, to be touched by touching. If I had to choose one “watch out for this” products, this would be it!

If you are in need of some inspiration – I definitely recommend visiting CSM Summer Shows next year! I look forward to hearing Mr IB's Account of the Degree Shows 2013 now!

Until next time,

On St Johns Wood High Street TODAY, Sunday 23rd June from 11am to 5pm, there is a Classic & Supercar Pageant taking place - there is still time to visit if you are local!

The IB Team was very excited to attend the Classic & Supercar Pageant. Collectors of Classic & Supercars have brought their common interests together to form an event raising money for Charitable Organisations. Money raised from the event is donated to Rays Of Sunshine Charity and St Johns Hospice – so all a very good cause. The event demonstrates the power of collaborating over a common interest to achieve something for “social good.” As well as the charitable aspect, the event has brought together other Londoners, families and friends for quite an unusual day-out. Children have the chance to listen to stories from the car collectors, and perhaps dream about owning something similar one day. Other businesses for example the New Inn Restaurant & Hotel, and butchers, have also supported the event by bringing their food and beverages to the High Street.

The 1969 EType Jaguar Convertible with it’s good looks, high performance and established icon of 1960’s motoring really took centre stage for us. The car was in mint condition, and had clearly been loved and cared for by it’s current owners. Secondly, the 1928 Bentley Speed Six had an enthusiastic following – with many people taking photographs. The Speed Six was the most successful of the racing Bentley’s claiming victory in Le Mans in 1929 and 1930. The one on show is mechanically identical to the day it left the factory – it has just had a little bit of restoration work. Finally, for us, there was a number of Ferrari’s that created that “wow” factor. 1967 Ferrari 365 California Spyder, 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder, 1956 Ferrari 290mm 3500 ccV12 Sports Car and 1950 Ferrari 166mm “Barchette.” If we had the chance, we would have driven home in the latter. The translation is “Little Boat,” and gave the Ferrari Company its first “signature look.”

Hopefully there will be similar events organised - there was such a good atmosphere between all ages. 

If you would like support holding a similar event to foster conversation within your community, please contact us at [email protected].

Until next time,

IB Team

Today, as a team, Invention Bone visited the Central Saint Martins Degree Shows 2013 at Granary Square, Kings Cross, London.

Our Partners collaborated from the Saint Martins journey to form The IB Consultancy. They had experienced different journeys before CSM - design discipline, job, location etc

How would the account of the same event differ? We have set them the challenge of reporting on the shows.

Watch over the next week for their blogs… we predict fireworks!

Until next time,

The Camp Cannt Festival is a London based festival from 17th - 21st June. This is it’s fourth year and was founded by Simon Gill, Executive Creative Director at LBi, and Laura Jordan-Bambach, Creative Director at Dare. It is all about bringing together Industry people to experience the creative spirit and love present in the actual Canne festival. The main aim is to meet new people and try new things.

Invention Bone attended the JSR Barbican event last night as part of the Camp Cannt festival. Jamie Stephen Represents - JSR - is a Creative Agency whose focus is on CGI, Animation, Illustration, Moving Image and Photography.

We met lots of inspiring people.

One designer, Lydia Kasumi Shirref, hosted an origami and paper folding workshop encouraging people to interact over a fun and engaging workshop. The creations were very summery… watermelons, lemons, pineapples.

We had the pleasure of meeting John Fox, who has evolved the Monopoly logo and Monopoly man character. All designs were presented in a lovely book showcasing past designs from the year. Really professional and informative.

Finally, we were involved in building a “scene” with playful building blocks in the photography department. Our creation was a path showing our journey of “building” the Invention Bone Creative Consultancy (so far). The scene was captured by photography and lighting specialists - we cannot wait to receive our photograph edited to perfection! Should be this week!

JSR - the environment, location, people and work - were a breath of fresh air, talent and innovation. No wonder they have Nike, Lloyds TSB, Monopoloy etc. knocking on their door - Outstanding.

We departed with limited edition prints, tshirts, paper-folded fruits and new connections. We highly recommend JSR and the Camp Cannt Festival.

Until next time,

Last week we had the great pleasure of attending the first ever D&AD White Pencil Lab.

The main theme of the day was sustainability. Companies such as Puma and Unilever provided great insights into their pursuits to be fully sustainable businesses, in terms of environmental impact. However our concern, and the reason we attended the White Pencil Lab, was to focus on another aspect of sustainability... social sustainability.

We started Invention Bone to engineer bridges within the community to aid the evolution of a more promising future. Now, the definition of communities can easily be reduced to a locality– however it can extend to: people groups, interest groups, age groups etc. In essence a group of people connected by something in common can define a community.

We believe creativity and design thinking can help communities (of any definition) to build a more promising future–and more importantly a sustainable one.

Attending the White Pencil Lab showed us that our industry is at the crest of a new wave–where our skills, knowledge and insights can be used as a force for good. It is clear the creative industries should understand that creativity should be measured by the impact we make, rather than the number of awards we receive. Our new ROI should be ‘return on involvement’ rather than a ‘return on investment’.

If our industry can shift how we have always done things, it will be very exciting to see how the wealth of ideas and creativity, we possess, can be used to create positive social change.

We walked away from the White Pencil Lab safe in the knowledge that our small startup can support communities, using creativity and design thinking, backed by an industry who is on the same journey as we are.

Until next time,

To engineer bridges within the community to aid the evolution of a more promising future.

Until next time,