Rating: 
Summary: Unfulfilled Expectations
Review: I heard Tom Kelley on PBS and was "inspired" by his excitement and unconventional ways at looking at creativity. Unfortunately, his book did a barely adequate job of getting across the same energy. The stories to illustrate his points were tepid at best and seemed mostly designed to say "look and see how great IDEO is and how creative we are and how we break all conventions." Still, there were some interesting lessons to be learned in his book, most of which are geared towards someone who has little or no experience with the creative process. I expected more from this book. I think if someone reads it without preconceived expectations, this is still a book worth reading. Certainly, IDEO is a company worth knowing more about.
Rating: 
Summary: A fantastic look at innovation and the birth of new ideas.
Review: First of all, let me say that Chapter 9 (Build Your Own Greenhouse) was worth the price of the book. As we build a new building, we are using the ideas, innovations, and principles that this book has shown us. The chapters on team and interaction can be used at almost any organization. Those of us who have read this book have been challenged not just to think and reflect on what has been read but to live them out. If I owned my own business that depended on teamwork and creativity, I would buy one of these books for every person in my organization.
Rating:
Summary: Innovate or Die
Review: I like to thank Tom Kelley and IDEO organization for sharing some of their valuable thoughts and experiences with us. They broke the mold and shared so many of their approaches and processes. Most companies would consider them trade secrets. IDEO should be commended for their openness. The book taught me many new ways and gave me solid examples to share with others to help them develop "out of the box" ideas, innovate and do things differently to make life more productive, fun, and exciting. I just like to remind and encourage the readers to not just read this book like most people, but apply some of the ideas listed to reap the benefits. I have used some of them and helped many to generate and implement innovations. My first attempt resulted in four new patents to a giant aerospace corporation in a technical area of rocket science. There are so many innovation related quotations in the book that I will add to my list that fallow: ....1. "Innovate or die." The Circle of Innovation by Tom Peters, 1997 ....2. "The only sustainable competitive advantage comes from out-innovating the competition." James Morse, Management consultant, The Circle of Innovation by Tom Peters, 1997 ....3. "Through innovation we will change the rules of the game, causing paradigm shifts leaving competition way behind." Paradigms : The Business of Discovering the Future, Joel Arthur Barker, 1993 ....4. "When our competitors are just as lean and competent as we are, then innovation will be the main advantage." Edward de Bono, in Serious Creativity 1993 ....5. 80% of 750 executives surveyed from 150 corporations said innovation is important to their firms, but only 4% said they are doing a good job fostering it. Human Resource Institute, Stimulating Creativity and Innovation, April 1997 ....6. "To be intelligent is no longer enough. Being hard working is insufficient. In the information economy, all will be judged by one factor and one factor alone: one's capacity to constantly learn and to generate a steady stream of creative innovations to a rapidly evolving economy." by Dr. Paul D. Tinari in "How To Do What Others Can't" ....7. "If your job does not take creativity then the computer could replace you." Edward de Bono during Innovation '98 workshop on April 29, 1998 ....8. "There is always a way to do it better ... Find it." Thomas Edison
Rating: 
Summary: For anyone designing this is a MUST READ!
Review: I bought this book because the synopsis led me to believe it would be a good read and might help me with my design work. I wasn't disappointed. I read it in one week on my spare time - and I don't like to read that much! The information was clear, well written and made me take a new look at design of everything around me. Of course, that could make me a cynic really quickly as I began to see the flaws in various designs and processes. That's a good thing! I would recommend this to anyone interested in or working in design. It has some interesting stories along the way that help frame (or unframe) your thinking about design. GOOD STUFF!!!
Rating:
Summary: A must read for every manager and executive!
Review: I wish that every manager and executive should read this book. It is very informative. People need to realize that this is the 21st Century and Corporate America needs to get with it. I especially liked the part about designing your offices. How many out there work in a drab cubefarm?
Rating:
Summary: Full of excitement...
Review: ...for innovation, Tom Kelley writes a book full of energy and enthusiasm, but unfortunately NOT a lot of substance. THE ART OF INNOVATION describes the working atmosphere at IDEO, America's premiere design house. From his words, IDEO sounds like an incredible place to work, full of vigor and fun. However, the more you read, the more you realize that the author isn't really telling you too much about implementation. The essential premise "loosen up, have fun," is just about as useful as "just say no" when trying to successfully modify an office environment. I had hoped for more substance, with less hype and enthusiasm. Still, author Kelley is right on the nose with what he DOES say, and his excitement for his work is palpable. IDEO is a winning company, and the author praises it in the context of a business-book. If you can take the concepts Kelley outlines, couple them with good technical skill, and merge it all with good business sense and a healthy dose of luck, you'll have a winner yourself. Just don't buy this book thinking that you'll get a recipe for your own IDEO. Overall, a good, interesting read, if not exactly an academic treatise on the concept of innovation. :)
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!!!!!
Review: Tom Kelley has written a masterpiece. Anyone who is even thinking about designing - ANYTHING - should study this "bible."
Rating:
Summary: No earth shattering disclosures, but still very interesting
Review: You can't but help be interested in an inside look at Ideo. However, the author doesn't disclose any earth shattering ideas or proprietary practices of the firm. There's the obligatory kudos from from the likes of (smash everything that's standing) Tom Peters. Still, the stories of one invention after another are quite illuminating. I recommend you buy the book for the general background of a very inventive company, not for any specific techniques. That the book is printed on some really fancy ($$$) paper makes me think that this might have been designed to be a vanity book. I wished they had discussed more on the methods of market research. The author reports that IDEO's direct to the consumers themselves to observe and ask questions. No focus groups for them. I wish their exact techniques had been developed in much more detail. Otherwise, we are left to assume that the folks at IDEO just attack like Banshee's with no strategy, techniques or direction. When reading the book you will feel that you are right there working alongside the IDEO teams on a project... unfortunately they are probably all-nighters. Recommended for died-in-the-wool inventor and entrepreneurial types. I enjoyed it. ...
Rating:
Summary: Designed especially for you!
Review: There is usually a reason why a menu is accompanied by a separate list of items commonly known as "specials." It may be that there was an overabundance of an item ordered or it could be that the Chef has prepared something he or she truly thinks you will enjoy. Strategically, it is there for those of us that want more than just the average meal without leaving the restaurant. "The Art of Innovation" is that special list. It is in itself a testament of what a company (that is in the business of innovation) has learned by helping others successfully discover their full potential. It has been my experience, working in the industries of manufacturing and Internet commerce, that unless managers are aware of the lessons given in this book, they will suffer a fate of "free agent" lack of loyalty. This has plagued most professional teams in this country, either in the office or on the field, this can't be healthy. This book outlines the components that by nature we strive for, but all too often are set aside and sometimes led away by the possibility of receiving something better in return. So have something from the daily special. I really liked this book, enjoyed it and had it a second time. Yea, I read it twice.
Rating: 
Summary: The Longest Advertising
Review: I am reading this book, and I couldn't wait to write an opinion about it. The book remember me "cast away" film, I enjoyed it but it's a longest advertising in the history!!!, I am reading the book and I am feeling the same, I read other books about innovation and everything is perfect, this book hasn't any know-how to offer. I had the hope with IDEO, but I have to wait.
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