Planning, interactions and experience

When I think about my future as a planner, or even the future of planning, I like to think that I’ll evolve from a discipline that happens through messages to one that happens through experiences.

When experiences take a major role, our mindset has to shift as a radar mapping great interaction opportunities.

In my mind, interactions presume both sides giving something valuable to each other. No part playing a passive role. Instead, an active exchange between two parts.

That’s how interactions turn into dialogues.

Creating rich dialogues, we will create richer conversations – that major topics and events existing in our culture, where brands happen.

Ok. I know that this thinking is not so clear, maybe just thrown away as things appear in my mind, but not so far from what Colin has wrote with great simplicity here:

Why the separation between planning and user experience design? As “planners”, we need to evolve our thinking to be interactions-based. Insights and strategy that drive brand interactions, retail interactions, product interactions, digital interactions. Brands create paths for people to follow.

As you can see, and I like to think, we have a very interesting path ahead of us. So, let’s contribute with it.

Have you got a Monskey?

 

courtesy of ERIK98122 from Flickr

Monskey is a very cool idea. I’ve got my first as a gift and thought it was a very nice buddy. In fact, I think more people have the same impression as we can see at Flickr, for instance.

Despite been a great product and definitely one of the most sympathetic toy art created, it’s the idea and the purpose behind Monskey that I think is even greater. For those who don’t know it, Monskey’s concept is Equality of Mankind.

To express that, they put the power on people’s hands. This means that anyone who may think is capable of designing one can do that and submit for them his/her personal creation. If lucky enough, the person may see the toy on some shelves from around the world. Of course that designers have a lead and it’s nice to see how they are participating.

So, why do I think this is a great idea?

Basically, because it involves some of the main principles that make an idea going further these days:

• well-oriented vision and a solid mission or purpose;
• the power of social participation;
• self-expression and storytelling;
• collaborative process;
• pleasant experience in people’s hands.

At the same time, I think that the Monskey culture could be stronger and broader. The brand already has the principles and values to get it.  Maybe it has to face the digital and conversational channels as a space to truly amplify fans, make connections and drive business. This is what I hope that guys over Monskey are thinking about and working for.