We had another great Open Coffee Sligo meetup on Thursday 7th May (remember – we do this on the first thursday of each month). Justin Knecht from the Centre for Design Innovation give a great overview of the Centre – what they do, how they do it and how companies can take advantage of their services using Innovation Vouchers.
If I am typical of the thirteen people in attendance (thanks to those who let us know that they would not be able to attend) – then I think that everyone found the session extremely useful;
If you thought that a design ethos did not apply to your business, Justin quickly dispelled that with this overview of how the Centre advises and guides on process, product and brand innovation.
I was particularly struck by some of the examples given on how a company might come to the centre with an innovation voucher and looking for help in developing a new form of packaging.
At a particular stage of this process – Justin might involve a group of the Industrial Design students to come up with some prototypes; I look on Industrial Design students as having the same energy and passion as Computer Science students; You’re doing it because you love it – it’s just not accidental. That’s why the thought of 30 people in the design zone – is pretty incredible.
Justin liked the lead taken by Johnny Beirne of downloadmusic.ie from our first meetup, and brought along a couple of books that he’s fond of – Massive Change and the disturbingly titled Design is the Problem.
I think a great theme from the last two meetups has been the willingness of everybody to take part in the discussion and take it through paths that you wouldn’t expect.
Also I think it’s a good sign that it’s not a case of “When can I get out of here?” and more a case of “I better get back to work” 
Thanks to everybody for coming along – next event is on Thursday, 4th June.
