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FuturistU > Tactics > Innovation Tactics > Module 2 / 4

Consumer Innovation

Instructor: Mark Onufer
Design Innovation
Download the Design Innovation Trend Report
Innovation and innovative ideas are only great if the end consumer accepts it. Too many times brands and organizations around the world generate interesting ideas without having done the preliminary research or simply disarranged priorities leading to failure. In this module Mark covers consumer innovation and two innovation tactics: NASA with Prioritization Workshops and Bath Body Works and Global Scout Network.

Mark starts by telling a story from the Deputy Chief Technologist at NASA and uncovers the idea that different teams with conflicting goals was the largest hurdle in getting them to Mars. After reviewing lessons on the importance of agility being greater than perfection, Mark breaks down a framework for this workshop. Diving deeper into consumer innovation, this module shows you what it would look like to have a network of ‘consumer research ninjas’ providing local and cultural insights to inform your projects. This showcases how something like flowers can not only inspire an entire line of products, but also act as a cultural backboard for depth and narrative. How could you make better use of your customers in your innovation process?
Related Trend Report: Design Innovation
Workshop Questions:
1. Think of 3 factors that could lead to your company's Utopia.
2. How could you make better use of your customers in the innovation process?
Get the 2024 Trend Report FREE

Featured Insights

Trackable Gaze
Software tracking eye movement delivers valuable insight to marketers
Implications - Eye-tracking technology is becoming increasingly prevalent in market research in order to optimize user experience in the digital space. Through the use of biometric tracking software via mobile and desktop devices, brands are better able to understand precisely where consumer attention is drawn, and how they navigate the tools. This new technology speaks to the struggle many brands have had in recent years with understanding how to better establish authentic connections with consumers.

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Workshop Question - How might your brand leverage eye-tracking software to establish a better connection with your consumer?
3.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends

Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Open-Source Driving
Open source projects are being created to develop and train autonomous driving
Trend - Both companies and individual researchers in the autonomous vehicle industry are launching open-source tools to enhance self-driving capabilities. On both the hardware and software side, these tools are widely applicable and can be used to simulate errors in self-driving models, improving safety.
Workshop Question - How could your brand's product or service benefit from open-source collaboration?
8.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Open-Source Autonomous Driving Projects
Open-Source Autonomous Driving Projects
Autoware Foundation is Building Comprehensive Self-Driving
Autoware is an open-source software project designed to facilitate the development and deployment of autonomous driving technology. Hosted by the Autoware Foundation, the project is built on the... MORE
Open-Source Self-Driving Applications
Open-Source Self-Driving Applications
Comma.ai's Openpilot is Easily Installed in Most Vehicles
Comma.ai’s open source self-driving application, known as ‘openpilot,’ is a driver assistance system designed to enhance vehicle automation. Openpilot provides functionalities such as... MORE
Advanced Self-Driving Solutions
Advanced Self-Driving Solutions
Wayve is Building an Embodied AI 'Robot Brain' for Vehicles
Wayve’s Embodied AI self-driving solutions leverage advanced artificial intelligence to enhance autonomous driving capabilities. The technology employs a domain-optimized model architecture that... MORE
play_circle_filledAutonomous Driving Testing Models
Autonomous Driving Testing Models
'CARLA' is an Open-Source Tool for Autonomous Driving Research
The CARLA simulator is an open-source platform designed to facilitate the development, training, and validation of autonomous driving systems. Developed from the ground up, CARLA provides a... MORE
Open-Source Self-Driving Tools
Open-Source Self-Driving Tools
OpenPodcar is a Hardware and Software Self-Driving Solution
The OpenPodcar is an open-source platform designed for self-driving car research. It is based on a hard-canopy mobility scooter, which is modified to become a fully autonomous vehicle. The platform... MORE
Data Storytelling
Data storytelling bridges the gap between data collection & actionable insights
Trend - Data storytelling, which combines data visualization with narrative techniques, is emerging as a powerful method for businesses to comprehend and act upon complex data. The growing trend is fueled by advancements in analytical tools like Tableau and Yellowfin, which have integrated data storytelling features, making them more accessible.
Workshop Question - How can your brand use storytelling to unlock insights and drive action?
6.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Mobile AI
Retailers are using AI to add unique features to their mobile retail apps
Trend - Retailers are launching mobile apps with AI-powered features designed to replace their existing apps. These apps offer recommendations, conversational support, image search, and features unique to certain retailers. These brands aim to improve customer retention while reducing ordering friction.
Workshop Question - How could your brand improve its customer satisfaction rates through AI features?
7.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AI Credit
AI-based tools help users improve their credit scores
Trend - Generative AI has made it easier for people to access information and resources in the process of building their credit scores. These informative apps are customized to users' needs and goals, and could prevent people with low credit scores from turning to unreliable credit repair services.
Workshop Question - How could your brand use AI to improve accessibility?
6.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Informed Restaurant
Restaurants are using AI forecasting tools to determine future menu items
Trend - Restaurants are using artificial intelligence (AI) analytics and forecasting tools to determine demand for each menu item. These tools use restaurant-specific and market-wide data to determine future-facing consumer interests, helping determine menu item creation and sales numbers.
Workshop Question - How could your company leverage its data with AI to improve its existing and upcoming services?
7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Web3 Extension
Brands are creating crypto and Web3 browser extensions for easy online use
Trend - A crypto browser extension is a software add-on or plugin that can be installed in a web browser to enable cryptocurrency and Web3 functionality. These extensions allow users to access blockchain networks, decentralized applications (DApps), and various crypto-related services on modern browsers.
Workshop Question - How can your brand bolster the reputation of its product/service through accessibility?
3.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AI Hobbyist
For tech enthusiasts, generative AI has become a tool to enhance hobbies
Trend - Chatgpt and similar models are being adapted into everyday life--and even hobbies and recreation are fair game. Tech enthusiasts are particularly likely to use generative AI for personal enjoyment, which can be seen through products like AI-equipped bikes, chess sets and travel assistants.
Workshop Question - How might your brand leverage generative AI to enhance customer journeys or product experience?
6.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Custom Chatbot
Brands are launching services that enable fast creation of personalized chatbots
Trend - Businesses offer tools enabling clients to build fully-functional chatbots quickly. These bots are trained on custom datasets, making them suitable for internal, consumer-facing, or consulting purposes. Businesses across numerous industries can benefit from personalized low-cost chatbots.
Workshop Question - How can your brand leverage personalized chatbot technology to enhance customer service or streamline workflow?
5.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Decentralized Social
Developers are launching decentralized content platforms
Trend - Independent developers are using shared protocols to create decentralized content aggregator platforms. Companies do not own or moderate these platforms, which offers better privacy than large alternatives. Many of these platforms communicate with one another to form the 'Fediverse.'
Workshop Question - How could your brand adapt to, decentralized social media platforms to better reach modern consumers?
4.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
SMS Commerce
Brands are integrating shopping services into mobile SMS applications
Trend - Retailers are seamlessly integrating text message shopping services into their business models. This allows customers to browse, purchase, and pay for products directly through a text message rather than using a mobile storefront application or website. This reduces online order friction.
Workshop Question - How could your brand benefit from leveraging older, more familiar technology for accessibility?
4.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends