Just before heading into a budget meeting, Kevin Gilboe, Head of Global
Design at 3M gave me a few minutes to talk about his perspective on the
relationship between innovation and design.
Design at 3M gave me a few minutes to talk about his perspective on the
relationship between innovation and design.
Capsule has noticed the addition of design to the 3M equations for success
in the last five years or so. It's been interesting to hear perspectives from
other parts of the organization and from Kevin on how the journey is
progressing inside 3M.
in the last five years or so. It's been interesting to hear perspectives from
other parts of the organization and from Kevin on how the journey is
progressing inside 3M.
3M is relevant in this story of innovation and design because just over
two decades ago this 111 year-old company sought out to own the word
"Innovation" and to the envy of many in the brand, business and
creative community, they were highly successful in the endeavor. We believe
this because the word fit the culture already pulsing through the halls,
offices and labs of 3M.
two decades ago this 111 year-old company sought out to own the word
"Innovation" and to the envy of many in the brand, business and
creative community, they were highly successful in the endeavor. We believe
this because the word fit the culture already pulsing through the halls,
offices and labs of 3M.
But, the discipline missing from the equation was always Design.
Kevin Gilboe and his eclectic team of designers, artists, and creatives
are the eggs to the delicious bacon already part of the 3M diet of successful
new product development. We all know, bacon is tempting all by itself and the
now famous phrase never uttered, "can someone please eat my last piece of
bacon" only confirms the cultural delight in bacon, as it is with the word
Innovation. Add eggs to the equation and you have the start of a breakfast and
perhaps a smart morning.
are the eggs to the delicious bacon already part of the 3M diet of successful
new product development. We all know, bacon is tempting all by itself and the
now famous phrase never uttered, "can someone please eat my last piece of
bacon" only confirms the cultural delight in bacon, as it is with the word
Innovation. Add eggs to the equation and you have the start of a breakfast and
perhaps a smart morning.
As Kevin put it, "you pull together engineering and marketing, and
with enough time you can put out a product that can solve a problem and make
money. Add design to the equation and you add craftsmanship, perfection in
details, and a cultural relevance to help a product achieve greater
purpose." In other words, you can have bacon alone, but once you've had it
with eggs, toast and the rest of the meal, bacon is kind of lonely without the surrounding meal.
with enough time you can put out a product that can solve a problem and make
money. Add design to the equation and you add craftsmanship, perfection in
details, and a cultural relevance to help a product achieve greater
purpose." In other words, you can have bacon alone, but once you've had it
with eggs, toast and the rest of the meal, bacon is kind of lonely without the surrounding meal.
We are also proud to see 3M taking on design. It unexpected for the
locals who know the depth and strength of the 3M business. As consumers of
3M brands, designs and innovations, we are happy to consume better design from our local hero. It is something many of us had not expected and just as Kevin's
team looks at the world through curious, skeptic eyes our design community does
as well.
locals who know the depth and strength of the 3M business. As consumers of
3M brands, designs and innovations, we are happy to consume better design from our local hero. It is something many of us had not expected and just as Kevin's
team looks at the world through curious, skeptic eyes our design community does
as well.
Thus far the new equation is: 3M Innovation + Design = Beautiful new opportunities.
Kevin states it best in the quote below.
'Design brings innovation to life with arresting beauty,
captivating stories, and exceptional attention to detail. We search for
unexpected solutions that create passion: stepping beyond function toward the
iconic. It's about innovation worthy of love.'
captivating stories, and exceptional attention to detail. We search for
unexpected solutions that create passion: stepping beyond function toward the
iconic. It's about innovation worthy of love.'
-- Kevin Gilboe
Thank you,
Aaron Keller
Managing Principal
Capsule