After this weeks readings I remembered a story of a company which stuck with me for four years. I lost my glasses on my flight to New York. While looking for a replacement there I noticed that new good quality glasses where quite expensive. So I asked some natives for advice where I could buy the cheapest glasses. This is how I first heard of the brand "Warby Parker". This companies story began with a student who lost his glasses like me while traveling. Because of high prices he couldn't replace them. That's how they came up with the rebellious, and lofty objective: to offer designer eyewear at a revolutionary price, while leading the way for socially conscious businesses.
It's funny to think that we all experience similar situations and we all could come up with genius innovations inspired by what surrounds us. But only a few keep so called bug lists to create such innovations and ideas for all. Thanks to Warby Parker I had a short and cheap eye exam and got very stylish good quality glasses for a low price within a week. I enjoyed my language study trip and actually saw the skyline.
Personal experience/thoughts:
In this week what stuck with me the most is the question - if you know your innovation could lead to something bad, would you still continue your work? Could you imagine working for the military? After my apprenticeship as a graphic designer I received a job offer which I took in thinking of creating design for technical factories. After the first day I realized that in the job description they skipped an important detail - that it would also include designing for military. I was faced quite early with reality. Sometimes you end up as a designer in situations where you design against your personal morals/principles.
So to answer this question: No I wouldn't work again for such a company, but I think there are times in life where you don't have the luxury to chose and you take any job you get. To work for bad companies doesn't make you less of a good person. A good thing I took from this experience is the power of working with people with a complete different mindset and my assertiveness.