Leading Design Teams into Creative Thought
What does it take to create leading edge boat designs that will inspire consumers? According to the
globally acclaimed think tank and product designers at IDEO, the answer may be to "fail often in
order to succeed sooner."
Marine industry designers and CEOs attending the 2008 Marine Design Resource Alliance Business
of Color and Trends seminar at IBEX watched intently to a video presentation profiling IDEO to learn
what it takes to assemble a creative team and turn them into productive action.
IDEO found that teams enlightened trial and error triumph over the lone genius. Their teams are
given wide parameters that include letting individuals be playful in their creative process and adding
personality and flair to their work areas. They also suggested letting the end users see the process
of development and to incorporate suggestions sooner, rather than wait for a finished product.
Sarah Johnson, market editor for Coastal Living Magazine, presented reader psychographic studies
that closely parallel boat buyers' tastes. The magazine found trends that suggest people are moving
entire rooms, like kitchens outdoors. A number of new boats now feature grills, TV and electronics
and aft seating areas as standard features. Johnson said bold graphics, Far Eastern styling and
heavy metal themes will influence designs over the next few years.
MDRA brings designers and decision makers together annually at IBEX for an intellectually stimulating
hour long program that helps forecast color and trends. The 2009 program will be announced in
late summer.