Medium’s Post

Although our team has a broad range of experience across various industries and market segments, we’re often tasked with designing products that use unfamiliar technology or target new industries. Prospective clients understandably ask, “How can you design a product you’ve never designed before?” It’s a great question—especially for those new to design—and one we enjoy answering because it highlights the essence of what we do. The short answer? We trust the process. Over the past 15 years, we’ve developed a proven methodology—a sort of “secret sauce” we call the Katapult Way. It’s a mindset and process that provides structure as we tackle complex problems, while remaining flexible enough to adapt to each project’s unique needs. It’s our recipe for success. At its core, the Katapult Way is built on curiosity and exploration. Great design emerges from questioning assumptions, challenging preconceptions and embracing the journey with an open mind to uncover unexpected opportunities. We approach every challenge with a blank page and a design-led methodology. Even when faced with obstacles, we rely on our process to guide us to extraordinary outcomes. Designing new products often feels like riding a rollercoaster—there are highs, lows, uphill struggles, and sudden sharp turns. But by following our process with clear, deliberate thinking, we always reach that exhilarating final rush toward success. We trust the process. Curious about how we can help bring your ideas to life? Let’s chat! Whether you’re tackling a familiar challenge or venturing into uncharted territory, we’d love to explore the journey with you. Reach out or drop a comment below to start a conversation. #trusttheprocess #productdesign #thekatapultway #katapultdesign #productdevelopment #designthinking #creativity #creatingbrilliant #designauthority

Building my ideas - both big and small! 💡✨ Last week I enjoyed the sunshine at the sea 🌊☀️, this week it’s the sunshine in my garden 🌻🌞…. I’ve collected many ideas over the last year, thoughts, notes, observations and used #Copilot to speed up my research along the way. 📚💭 And so just as the dots are starting to join and that first design thinking diamond begins to converge into a fully formed problem definition, it’s time to start a new book 📖 - this time to develop the solution! 🚀🔍 #Innovation #DesignThinking #CreativeProcess #Research #NewBeginnings #MindModels #HumanityHub

Rieck’s insights remind us that the journey of an idea is as important as its destination. This piece is a must-read for anyone looking to innovate or simply understand the dynamics of idea development. What’s the most transformative idea you’ve encountered lately?

Today, we dived deep into researching effectively to deepen our understanding of problems and approach design with clarity. We explored how to identify the right problems, set clear goals, collaborate, test, and iterate—ensuring that design isn’t just about creating but about solving real issues. Our professors Ajit Bhagat and Divyadarshan C S took the time to break down each step, guiding us through the importance of structured research and critical thinking. They emphasized discovery research—what it is, what it isn’t, and why it’s crucial in shaping meaningful solutions. This session reinforced that impactful design isn’t just about execution—it’s about asking the right questions, testing assumptions, and refining solutions thoughtfully. Excited to put these insights into action! 🚀

Innovations are available every age.

Old Inventions Shaping the Modern World – History Comes Full Circle! 🌍⚙️ Did you know that many brilliant inventions from the past are making a comeback and finding their place in today’s modern world? What once seemed like simple solutions is now key to addressing global challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and energy efficiency. Here are some examples of old inventions being rediscovered: • Electric Vehicles 🚗⚡ – Popular in the 19th century, they disappeared for decades but are now symbols of modern transportation. However, their eco-friendliness is debatable – both the production process for batteries and their disposal raise significant concerns. 🌱❓ • Natural Building Materials 🏡🌱 – Clay, wood, and straw are making a comeback as eco-friendly alternatives to concrete and steel. • Solar Heating ☀️ – Ancient civilizations used sunlight for heating, inspiring modern solar panels and passive heating systems. • Vertical Farms 🌿🌇 – Inspired by ancient hanging gardens, they have become a staple in urban sustainability, supporting efficient food production. • Wind Energy 🌬️ – Traditional windmills have been replaced by modern turbines that convert wind into electricity. These examples show that the past continues to inspire us, and old ideas, when applied in a new context, can be revolutionary. History truly comes full circle! 🔄 Do you have favorite old inventions that are gaining new life today? Share them in the comments! 💭✨ #DrMagdalenaLaabs #History #Innovation #PastAndFuture #OldInventions

I really enjoyed this session with Connie Malamed. I learned about the Double Diamond method for solving a problem, which is best done with a cross-functional team. It involves two diamond-shaped rounds of divergence-convergence. She described the first diamond as "solving the right problem" by empathizing (with users/learners) and defining the problem. The second diamond is "solving the problem right" by team brainstorming many possible solutions, then prototyping and testing several ideas until the best solution is found. This approach has a lot of overlap with the ADDIE/SAM models, so I can see how it would be effective in creating training solutions. Do you often get to work this closely with a cross-functional team throughout the analysis and design process? I'd love to hear about it.

The Importance of Creative Thinking at Work Welcome, to part one of a series on creative thinking at work. Edward de Bono has done much to demystify creativity and inspire many of us to rediscover our own creativity. De Bono emphatically states that: "Without creativity there are no ideas, and without ideas organisations and the people within them will stagnate and neither will reach any sort of fulfilment." This is really important to me. We spend so much of our lives at work, so we want work to be as fulfilling as possible. Creativity plays a key role in providing this meaning and fulfilment. And it goes without saying that we need creativity to design and innovate. We also know from the author of Flow, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, that human beings are at their happiest (in flow, or ‘the zone’) when they are creating. People actually long to express their creativity and in my next few posts, I’ll be sharing with you some of my lessons and tips on how to unleash it. If you enjoyed this post and would like to explore these topics further, then you might like my weekly newsletter 👇 https://lnkd.in/gyz5DS3e #creativityatwork #creativethinking #innovation

❝We all have a creative side, and it can flourish if you spawn a culture to encourage it...❞ -The Art of Innovation, by Tom Kelley & Jonathan Littman Want to learn some secrets of creativity from one of the best design firms in the world? This is IDEO's playbook on creativity. Through it, they demystify the creative process. Take a tour of IDEO with Tom Kelley, one of the authors and founders, as your guide. He pulls back the curtain on this legendary firm and reveals its methodology. My journey to this book started several books ago with one book influencing my choice of the next: 1. The Mirror Effect, by Dr. Drew Pinsky & Dr. S. Mark Young (celebrity narcissism) 2. Conspiracy, by Ryan Holiday (celebrity gossip) 3. Zero to One, by Peter Thiel (integral player in Conspiracy) 4. Blue Ocean Strategy, by W. Chan Kim & Renee Mauborgne (find your own "monopoly" by creating a new market) 5. Blue Ocean Shift, by W. Chan Kim & Renee Mauborgne (inspire & build confidence for effective execution) 6. Beyond Disruption, by W. Chan Kim & Renee Mauborgne (business and society working together in additional markets) 7. The Art of Innovation, by Tom Kelley & Jonathan Littman (creativity flourishes from culture) 8. (coming soon: a few more books from Tom Kelley of IDEO) #books #reading #TheDybrary #1BookAWeek

Capture Your Ideas: Transform Thoughts into Tangible Results! In our professional journey, developing the habit of writing down ideas instead of just thinking about them can lead to remarkable outcomes. This age-old practice often gets overlooked, but it's more crucial than ever. Writing down an idea provides clarity and perspective, turning abstract thoughts into actionable plans. This simple act can be a game-changer, driving innovation and efficiency in your work. Let's not just think it, let's ink it! ✍️ #IdeaGeneration #ProfessionalGrowth #Clarity #Innovation #Efficiency #Productivity #MindsetMatters #WriteItDown #SuccessHabits #ThoughtToAction