Sketchplanations - A weekly explanation in a sketch

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Explaining the world one sketch at a time

Open a coconut

Learned this remarkably reliable technique from our guide Rodolfo in the Corcovado in Costa Rica - appropriately, on a Pacific beach lined with palm trees, the sounds of howler monkeys and scarlet macaws flying by. It works just as well in our London apartment. Update: if you’re not on a beach and have some minimal tools you can rescue more of the water by drilling or poking through one of the three holes in the top and draining it first. Tip from Jose.…Learned this remarkably reliable technique from our guide Rodolfo in the Corcovado in Costa Rica - appropriately, on a Pacific beach lined with palm trees, the sounds of howler monkeys and scarlet macaws flying by. It works just as well in our London apartment. Update: if you’re not on a beach and have some minimal tools you can rescue more of the water by drilling or poking through one of the three holes in the top and draining it first. Tip from Jose.

2 Nov 2013

The big data equation

Big data + Machine learning + Cloud = Informed, intelligent decisions. As a very minor example of this I have been enjoying the Dark Sky app.…

1 Nov 2013

Our senses are built to take in information at human pace

I believe I first heard this on a Radiolab episode, but I can’t remember for sure. Since then, I’ve reflected on it many times and cannot help but think it has some truth. For me, this explains why we’re not very good at processing the scenery as we drive or take a train and why cycling and walking are the best ways to get around. In The Art of Travel, Alain de Botton makes some great observations about why trains are great for thinking. I think this has a lot to do with having time to think. We have a helpful intermission of the semi-connected landscape and houses passing by that we can only process for so long before we return to our thoughts. I love trains.…I believe I first heard this on a Radiolab episode, but I can’t remember for sure. Since then, I’ve reflected on it many times and cannot help but think it has some truth. For me, this explains why we’re not very good at processing the scenery as we drive or take a train and why cycling and walking are the best ways to get around. In The Art of Travel, Alain de Botton makes some great observations about why trains are great for thinking. I think this has a lot to do with having time to think. We have a helpful intermission of the semi-connected landscape and houses passing by that we can only process for so long before we return to our thoughts. I love trains.

31 Oct 2013

Give air a pathway to avoid glugging

Part of the reason why bottles should really have their necks to one side instead of in the centre.…

30 Oct 2013

Patnaik’s Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow’s is interesting, but not terribly helpful if you want to use it for something. This one however, I still find a very useful framework when designing (read about it in the DMI paper System Logics). Your sweet spots for the exciting innovations are the context and activity level needs. …

29 Oct 2013

Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs

The basic idea goes that you have to satisfy those at the bottom before the top: if you’re freezing cold and hungry, you’re not giving much thought to the joy mastering new skills. Not terribly robust. But interesting and somewhat clarifying. See updated sketchplanation of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.…

28 Oct 2013

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