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A few weeks ago, I was called for jury duty and experienced a powerful example of how innovation can go wrong when the user journey is overlooked. Because I was going to be in Europe on my original date, I could postpone my initial date of service online and select a new week that worked for me. That felt like thoughtful innovation: easier for jurors and, presumably, more likely to increase participation. ​ Then, on the Friday before my new date, I checked the court website

Do you trust what you see? At Leandro Erlich’s exhibition at the Grand Palais, I appeared to be climbing a building, yet I was simply lying on the floor. That shift in perspective stayed with me. As AI makes images, words, and voices more convincing, context, curiosity, and human judgment matter more than ever.

What can a scoop of ice cream in Budapest teach us about innovation? More than you might think. From unexpected flavour pairings to familiar desserts reimagined, I was reminded that great ideas do not always begin from scratch. Sometimes innovation happens when we bring together two things that have never met before, creating an experience that feels both recognizable and entirely new.

At Zurich Airport, a small design choice caught my attention: separate lounges for smokers and vapers. It was a reminder that people we casually group together may have very different needs, preferences, and expectations. Meaningful innovation does not always start with breakthrough technology. Sometimes, it begins by looking closer, questioning broad assumptions, and designing with greater precision for the people we serve.

France’s bakeries are filled with croissants, cakes, breads, and seasonal treats, but for vegans, enjoying that tradition can be difficult. In Paris, Land & Monkeys changes that with a fully plant-based bakery experience that feels generous, familiar, and delicious. It is a powerful reminder that innovation often begins by noticing who is being left out and asking how we can welcome them in.

What can a Venetian tower overlooking the harbour in Chania, Crete teach us about innovation? More than we might expect. Standing above a place shaped by centuries of exchange between Europe, Africa, and Asia, I was reminded that fresh ideas rarely emerge from staying within the familiar. Innovation begins when we challenge assumptions, welcome unexpected perspectives, and make connections between ideas that do not usually meet.