The Design errors They are unusual but exist, even if they are well camouflaged. Innovation rarely falls like lightning. It is usually the product of a lot of essay and error. Accepting failure as an essential part of success is the key to a real advance. That is the mentality that promoted the psychologist Samuel West to open the Museum of Failure, which is now exhibited in Industry City, in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. West is a consultant that helps companies eliminate obstacles to innovation: «I have been investigating trilled success stories of entrepreneurs who always paint a pink panorama. But one of the reasons why it is not innovated is the fear of failure.» Among the more than 159 objects exposed in the museum there are authentic nostalgic ones: from the Sony Betamax and the Google Glass to the portable playcases. «90 % of emerging companies fail. 90 % of innovations fail,» says West. «It is good to dismiss the failure, even if it is Design errors They can never forget. «
The museum has set up exhibitions in West's native Sweden, as well as in Los Angeles, Shanghai, Paris, Taipéi … Not all failures are physically represented. When West could not get one of the televised dinners that Colgate manufactured in the 80s, he created an exact reply. The oldest object represented in the Museum of Failure is the VASAa seventeenth -century Swedish war ship that sank minutes after leaving the port on its inaugural trip: «They wanted the craziest ship in Europe, so they added two floors of cannons,» West explains, «but that made it too heavy and the ship became unstable. They tried to tell the king, but ignored them.»
Some companies, such as Microsoft, have even sent workers to take a look at the museum. «Ikea has supported us a lot,» he adds. The Swedish Furniture Company arrived at the museum with its inflatable furniture line. But the Design errors They are not always the root of failure: «There are several issues that arise in the museum,» says West. «The bad design is obvious, and not take into account the end user. But sometimes a product is simply overvalued and it is impossible to meet expectations.»
One of his favorite exhibitions is that of one of Kodak's first digital cameras: «They invented the concept in the 70s, but they didn't know how to get away from their standard business model with a film,» West explains. The arrogance of the direction can also be a factor, he adds. «When the management does not listen to engineers, or even consumers, they end up in an echo chamber with the worst Design errors«
And sometimes he escapes his hands completely: «When something disruptive enters the market, such as iPod, it causes expansive waves in other products and services,» West explains.
Next, AD Review the 13 major Failures and design errors of modern history that are exposed in the Museum of Failure.