:open (+ parallel)

We utilize the concept of parallel tracks as a tool to foster the cross-pollinization of creative ideas early during the design process. Giving an idea several tracks is one way for our designers to help bridge between divergent ideas so as to enhance a clear path to collaboration. An example of this tool is involving outside experts for an opinion to a difficult social challenge from different angles.

We believe that conversations are the most versatile tool we posses in our human culture to discover solutions. We utilize them often in our internal processes. we begin with – how might we? We utilize many forms of ideation including brainstorming workshops. This involves our multi-disciplinary teams coming up with new ideas in a group discussion, selecting the best idea, and creating a plan to implement it.

The origin of cross-pollination in open innovation systems stems from the plant world: the transfer of pollen from the flower of one plant to the flower of another plant having a different genetic code. Similarly, a core feature of our open innovation ecosystem is the convergence of parallel ideas: the sharing, interchange and diffusion of insights, knowledge and more creative ideas as food input into the overall design process.