Welcome!

I am short-sighted.

I remember that for a long time I dreamed, as a child, that I was able to look into the distance. And that I could see clearly into the distance. The very first object for which I religiously saved my money then was a telescope. I could not have foreseen that this telescope would have a crucial effect on my professional life.

It was the first step of my becoming aware of the fundamental importance of the Experience. As a designer, I gradually opened my eyes on the power of observation, and human sciences in general, as a breeding ground for innovation by design.

To observe life is to begin the Experiential Revolution.

The world is evolving increasingly rapidly and sophisticatedly. In order to experience this acceleration and sophistication in a peaceful manner, there is no need to run; all one needs to do is to observe in good time. Observing our lives and experiences today makes it possible to build a controlled future. This opens our eyes on what needs to be cherished and what needs to be changed. It slowly sheds light on the solution to the irritating problems of our everyday lives. It shows us the way towards innovation that will establish itself in our lives effortlessly. The industrial revolution is behind us. I very firmly believe in the power of innovation through experience and in the urgent need to begin the experiential revolution.

The experiential revolution is bringing out a new company model that will reconcile companies with society.

Observing today’s experiences in order to build those of tomorrow, creates projects and visions for new companies. Such companies focus on human practices, on who uses them, who buys them, who partners with them. The ambition of these companies is to sell/offer people a real service. They make sense, not only for their shareholders, but for their employees and their consumers above all. Their business model puts people at the centre of their activities. This is what creates value and wealth, a future project and jobs. This is what works towards the competitiveness of companies and reconciles them with society.

As a forewarning of this new company model, I welcomed Barack Obama’s gesture to accept to refinance the American car industry, in return for the right to examine the new models. Prior to that, he made sure that their plan did integrate real needs for mobility and not only car machines.

Designers will be core elements in the mutation of companies towards this new model.

They feed on social classics, culture and science. They are trained to solve problems using scientific methods. They bloom when handling complexity and expose what is essential with accuracy and elegance. They know how to restore the taste for innovation in companies and society. In addition, I am convinced that designers are unaware of the fact that they are entrepreneurs.

The main thing is to believe in something strong. I believe designers will be the new generation that will train companies in experiential revolution, and that will start a new harmonious economic balance in and with society.

This blog is where I express my personal opinion on innovation and its impact through design for corporate competitiveness, the role of designers in the economic landscape, the power of human sciences as a base for innovation and a few other fascinating subjects… I would also like to invite professionals from the world of innovation to use it, i.e. all those courageous women and men who, in all humility and often in the shadow, undertake to change their world.

These subjects only come to life when they are being cross-examined, and when views are being exchanged about them; I am therefore all ears and ready to listen to your feedback, suggestions and comments to open new horizons together. Speak to you soon!

Christophe Rebours