Steal This Idea: The Originality Scale / By Marty Neumeier

STEAL THIS IDEA

BY MARTY NEUMEIER

The Originality Scale

Originality comes from the exposure of factual knowledge to the animating force of imagination. We might express it like this:

Depending on the quality of knowledge and the level of imagination applied to it, an idea can fall into four categories, listed from the least to the most original: 1) an idea adapted from the same domain; 2) an idea adapted from a different domain; 3) an idea that is new to its creator; 4) an idea that is new to the world.

LIQUIDAGENCY.COM | SOURCE: METASKILLS BY MARTY NEUMEIER

LIQUIDAGENCY.COM | SOURCE: METASKILLS BY MARTY NEUMEIERLIQUID AGENCY

OK I=xIMAGINATIONKNOWLEDGE ORIGINALITY

If you apply a small amount of imagination to a small amount of knowledge, you can achieve a small amount of originality by simply adapting an idea from the domain you’re working in. For example, you might “steal” an idea from a competitor, making just enough modifications to create a minimum of difference. This is how most of us learn our professions. We stand on the shoulders of more experienced practitioners.



ADAPTED FROM

THE SAME DOMAIN

IMA

GIN

AT

ION

KNOWLEDGE

As you gain more experience in your domain, you may be able to apply the same amount of imagination to a broader base of knowledge. This will allow you to bring an idea from a different domain into your own domain. An automotive designer, for example, could bring an idea from social networking to the design of a car. Or the CEO of an insurance company could adapt a management idea from the pharmaceutical industry.



ADAPTED FROM

THE SAME DOMAIN

ADAPTED FROM

ANOTHER DOMAIN

IMA

GIN

AT

ION

KNOWLEDGE

With more imagination, you might produce an idea that you’ve never seen before. This is usually the first stage of becoming an original thinker. Until you can surprise yourself, it’s unlikely that you’ll surprise the rest of the world. But, of course, if your knowledge of the world is too narrow, you may be the only one who is surprised.



NEW TO YOURSELF

ADAPTED FROM

THE SAME DOMAIN

ADAPTED FROM

ANOTHER DOMAIN

IMA

GIN

AT

ION

KNOWLEDGE

Finally, when you can apply a great deal of imagination to a great deal of knowledge, you have the ability to introduce ideas that are new to everyone. You then become a reliable generator of valuable ideas, able to innovate at will. But mastery begins by being honest about your abilities at each stage of your learning.



NEW TO YOURSELF

NEW TO THE

WORLD

ADAPTED FROM

THE SAME DOMAIN

ADAPTED FROM

ANOTHER DOMAIN

IMA

GIN

AT

ION

KNOWLEDGE

Find more Marty Neumeier ideas to steal at liquidagency.com/blog


Steal This Idea: The Originality Scale / By Marty Neumeier

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Transcript of Steal This Idea: The Originality Scale / By Marty Neumeier