I remember when i first started designing I would just sit in front of the computer and play with shapes as I tried to piece together a new website. I now compare that to a caveman playing with rocks as he tries to make a wheel.
Research leads to innovation. Innovation leads to inspiration. Inspiration leads to writing.
The wheel has been created. Use the products that are already out there as tools for your own innovation. Don’t replicate other people’s ideas. But, use them as a launch pad for your new ideas. Steve Jobs did not create the mp3 player. He did, however, create the iPod.
I used to be afraid of the term ‘market research’. Then I realized I do this everyday when I ‘Google’ something.
For example, I am building a new product for a fitness coach. Rather than starting from zero and hoping I can come up with a cool first draft I searched the internet for the top websites in the fitness industry so I have a place to start from.
I learn who the popular experts are, who has the best website, how payments are being accepted, what commodities are being sold, etc. It gives me a lot of leverage when I start to develop a first draft design or concept for something. I take all the good parts from the top experts in the industry, THEN I build something new.
I research until I know everything I possibly can because it isn’t until that point can I start to innovate.
Research leads to innovation. Innovation leads to inspiration. Inspiration leads to writing.
I spend a lot of time in the beginning of a project and throughout the project looking at what already has been done. This will save you a lot of time because you won’t be starting from 0. You want to take the ideas of everyone else, leave the bad ideas, take the good ideas, and innovate on top of everything to create your own unique company.