Link to pdf bit.ly/1zXmchj This is the final assignment for "Designing New Ventures", a class I took last fall (2014) at Parsons. For this assignment I needed to create a new venture concept based on the different types of innovations and design tactics present on the books "10 Types of Innovation", by Larry Keeley, and "101 design methods", by Vijay Kumar. The final concept is an online platform aiming to decentralize typeface production by bringing graphic designers to work together. Giving them access to knowledge, tools and networkthat will help them make their ideas come to life.

1. A CROWDSOURCING PLATFORM TO
CREATE TYPEFACES COLLABORATIVELY
MARKET
DEMAND
WAZE
AIRBNB
& UBER
GROWTH
3D PRINTING
PROSUMERS
click
ROUGH IDEA
The user (U1) uploads a draft/lettering/ photo
illustrating his idea
FORMING A TEAM
Users that felt interested would reach out and
U1 would select the team
WORKING ON IT
Each one would bring their skills, effort and
knowledge to create the typeface
INITIAL RESULT
The initial version is shared with the online
community and the community gives feedback
SHARING KNOWLEDGE
The teams would be encourage to share
their process and discoveries on every level
From how to create kerning groups to how
to split profits
ONLINE COMMUNITY
They are the engine and focus of the
platform - The goal is to create an engaged
and strong community
BETA VERSION
THE TESTER
THE SPECIALIST
After the community considers it ready, the typeface starts to be
analyzed by specialists (hired by the Indie Ampersand team)
and by testers (selected by the team making the typeface)
In this fase, details and technical issues are tackled
Also, members of the general community gain a chance to engage even more
with the product by becoming “testers”- By testing it in real-life examples and
sending feedback, they would receive discounts and gifts
TFINAL PRODUCT
The teams are encourage not to just
sell/share their typefaces in itself, but also
raw files, posters and specimens
BETA VERSION
WHAT
HAPPENS
NOWADAYS
IDEA & PRODUCTION INITIAL FEEDBACK DETAILED FEEDBACK FINAL PRODUCT
gathers all
knowledge,
decision-making
and resources
employees
learn from
type designer
may or may not
be a client in
this phase
no option to give
feedback
type designer
type designer
+ employees
type designer
+ client
end user
Platforms relying on crowdsourcing and collaboration have been
showing incredible results. Besides that, consumers are willing to be
part of the making process. And still, the typeface-making industry is
based on a top-down, centralized system, where few concentrate
resources and knowledge.
The problem with this is that tons of ideas in the every day graphic
designers’ heads are discarded or forgotten because they don‘t have
the time, knowledge and/or resources to develop those ideas.
Furthermore, the final user doesn’t have a say in the development of the
typefaces he buys.
We believe that using the abundant information found on the internet
and bringing type designers and enthusiasts together we can solve this
problem and close the gap between idea and development.
Here’s our solution
PRODUCTION
FEEDBACK
FINAL
PRODUCT
focus on product
performance and
system
focus on where to sell
(not how nor what else)
Market demand dictates production;
Overall focus on product system,
performance and inside process
Website Look & Feel
Once you select a project you want to be part of, your information (portfolio, school...) is sent to the
user with the idea, and he will evaluate it
Evaluating production files (but not only)
& how it works what we believe in about login/sign up
INITIAL IDEAS COMMUNITY FEEDBACK TEST SHOP
Buying fonts
& how it works what we believe in about login/sign up
INITIAL IDEAS COMMUNITY FEEDBACK TEST SHOP
BUY TYPEFACE
&
TYPE SPECIMEN
RAW FILE
Community feedback
& how it works what we believe in about login/sign up
INITIAL IDEAS COMMUNITY FEEDBACK TEST SHOP
ABCDEFGHI J
KLMNOPQRS
TUVWXYZ
& how it works what we believe in about login/sign up
INITIAL IDEAS COMMUNITY FEEDBACK TEST SHOP
ABCDEFGHI J
KLMNOPQRS
TUVWXYZ
We want to descentralize typeface production by
facilitating the interaction between designers. Giving
them access to knowledge and tools that will help them
make their ideas come to life.
We want to build a community where knowledge and
access is shared, so the whole community moves and
evolves as a whole.
We encourage teams to research and we bring specialists
to guide them.
Common users and specialists would be able to upload
classes and tutorials.
The entire process is meant to be open and transparent.
JEAN WOJCIECHOWSKI
DESIGNING NEW VENTURES
PARSONS | FALL 2014
WHAT WE
WANT TO
HAPPEN