However, it was the marginal notes and added comments on the evaluation forms that really highlighted some of the problems facing the software industry today. Let s look at a few of the more insidious blocks preventing true invention in software. Our class on inventing interfaces had been promoted as a hands-on experiential workshop focused on the process of innovation, yet a vocal group afterward complained about the time spent learning, practicing and applying creative engineering techniques. They wanted to see more examples of the innovative user interface designs that others had created. The artist learns how to paint by painting.
Creative engineering is learned by engineering creatively.
It seems obvious, but imitation is the opposite of innovation. I could show you dozens of innovative user interface designs, but you would still not know how the designers arrived at those innovations. Reviewing the innovations created by others is important if you want to buy a solution off the shelf. If you want to create something, something that is both new and really works, you need to know how to do it yourself. I think of it in terms of the old saw about fish.