The pendulum swing

Products like art follow movements in time. Neoclassical, Classical, Renaissance, Realism, Surrealism, Pointillism, Dada, Cubism, Minimalism, Pop, Modernism, I can go on and on. In a world where products like Google mail is minimalist; Procter & Gamble’s Tide with bleach, Tide with Downy, Tide with Febreze is hybrid; Chevy’s American Revolution and Chrysler’s PT Cruiser designs are classical; Ikea is modern.

What are the points of inflection when products are ready for a change in movement? What is the product innovation swing amplitude and frequency? When is it time to continue to forge new or forge the old back into the future? It is not to say we tread backwards but squeeze a little nostalgia into the equity for innovation sake. Every time I notice the old in the new I am reminded a quote by Sam Levinson – “The reason grandparents and grandchildren get along so well is that they have a common enemy.”