From Bug Collections to Billion-Dollar Companies: The Power of Inspiration and Design

Kazuki

Hatched by Kazuki

Sep 25, 2023

4 min read

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From Bug Collections to Billion-Dollar Companies: The Power of Inspiration and Design

Imagine a world where the things you collect say so much about who you are. This sentiment, expressed by Ben Silbermann, the CEO of Pinterest, captures the essence of the platform that has become the web's next big thing. But how did Pinterest go from a childhood bug collection to a billion-dollar company? The answer lies in the power of inspiration and design.

Silbermann's journey to success began with a simple movie. "Pirates Of Silicon Valley," a film about Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, inspired him to move west to California, believing that there might be something going on in the tech mecca. He believed that being close to people who inspire you is a crucial first step towards success.

However, it wasn't until his girlfriend urged him to stop complaining and just go do it that Silbermann took action. Armed with a check from an investor, he called up other potential investors who had previously said no and confidently told them, "You're going to miss out, this is the hot deal." And it worked. Silbermann's determination and belief in his vision paid off.

Silbermann's childhood bug collection served as the foundation for Pinterest 1.0. He always believed that the things you collect say a lot about who you are. When Pinterest finally launched, Silbermann sent it to all his friends in California, but initially, no one got it. It wasn't until a woman named Victoria organized a program called "Pin It Forward" that the tide began to turn.

"Pin It Forward" was essentially a chain letter where bloggers would exchange pinboards about what home meant to them. It was an inflection point for Pinterest. Victoria, now the company's community manager, organized the first Pinterest meet-up, and Silbermann realized that they had something special. He said, "That was the moment where I was like, 'We've got it.'"

In parallel, the Double Diamond design model was making waves in the design industry. Developed by the British Design Council in 2005, this model emphasized the importance of discovery, definition, development, and delivery in the design process. By closely involving designers in the research process and bringing them face-to-face with users, successful companies like Starbucks have seen great results.

Starbucks, for example, requires its designers to spend a month working as baristas before designing anything. This hands-on experience allows designers to truly understand the needs and desires of their users. The Double Diamond model also highlights the importance of the definition stage, where ideas and data from the discovery stage are filtered and contextualized.

Microsoft takes a slightly different approach to design by encouraging its designers to "eat their own dog food." This means that designers should use their own creations in their work, putting themselves in the user's shoes. By doing so, designers can uncover potential issues and make design changes quickly and efficiently.

So, what can we learn from the success of Pinterest and the Double Diamond design model? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

  • 1. Surround yourself with inspiration: Just like Silbermann drew inspiration from the movie "Pirates Of Silicon Valley," surrounding yourself with people who inspire you can be a powerful catalyst for success. Seek out mentors, attend industry events, and immerse yourself in a community of like-minded individuals who share your passion.
  • 2. Embrace the power of user research: Both Pinterest and the Double Diamond model emphasize the importance of understanding your users. Conducting thorough research, whether through interviews, observations, or consumer journey mapping, allows you to design products and services that truly meet their needs.
  • 3. Test and iterate: Silbermann's persistence in convincing investors that they would miss out on a hot deal paid off. In the same vein, the Double Diamond model encourages continuous testing and iteration. By involving different departments in the design process and using professional tools to make changes efficiently, you can minimize the number of prototypes needed and uncover potential issues before they become major problems.

In conclusion, the success of Pinterest and the effectiveness of the Double Diamond design model showcase the power of inspiration and design in creating the web's next big thing. By surrounding yourself with inspiration, embracing user research, and testing and iterating on your designs, you can set yourself up for success in the ever-evolving digital landscape. So go out there, collect the things that speak to you, and let your ideas take flight.

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