The evolution of Photoshop is a textbook example of the right way to embrace innovation.

As design thinking facilitators, we spend a lot of time talking to clients about why change is such an important part of the innovation process. You can have the most creative thinkers in the company on your team, but if you are not willing to change the way you capture ideas, or support them to generate new products and services, even the best solutions can’t gain traction. There are three kinds of innovation, specific to the world of products and services, that require different levels of change:

In an era where companies are expected to rapidly adapt to consumers’ ever-changing demands, being able to innovate, and creatively problem-solve is paramount to success. Many executives find that teaching employees how to use design thinking, or human-centred design, can be the leverage they need to stay ahead of the competition.

When a company finds success doing the same thing for several planning cycles, it can feel impossible to shift direction. But in an age of constant disruption, companies that aren’t agile enough to adapt to new market demands risk becoming obsolete.

From the time I was a kid I was drawn to the world of design. When I graduated high school, I went straight to art college where I intended to pursue a career in product design. Then I discovered Victor Papanek.