It’s hard to believe that we are rapidly approaching the end of another year! Never mind trying to beat Santa’s sleigh run with last minute shopping, one could almost think we are set on time travel mode as time whizzes by faster than ever. Maybe it’s just an age thing or more likely the fall out from a global pandemic still being felt, and our worlds not yet settled. It has, none the less, been a year filled with special memories at Smallfry and as ever, we are optimistic for what the future will bring. 

With 50 years in business under our belt – a mega achievement in itself and one which we are very proud of, we want to thank both past and present team members who came along for the ride. Without teamwork, talent and diversity, businesses can become stale and stagnate, making creative and innovative design challenging. 

A Picture in Time – 5 Decades 

With nostalgia on our mind we took some time out to look back at just some of the pivotal projects and moments over each of the five decades.  From sea trucks, tractors and trainers with flashing lights to medical devices, we covered a lot.  With many more projects, workshops and lectures delivered, we have amassed a pretty smart set of skills and experience. 

Our snapshot in to five decades of strategy led design innovation. 

Delivering Impact 

Being in business for 50 years is indeed worthy of celebrating, but what makes our hearts sing louder is looking back on the part we played in bringing new innovation to market. Harnessing the power of vision and strategy to solve problems, taking dreams and good ideas and making them great. Shattering all expectations, delivering outcomes and moving the needle on the bottom line figures.  We like to think we challenge the status quote, help realign visions and support products and clients who are helping to build a better life for all.  

Smallfry proudly supporting Touch Surgery in their ambition to simply ‘contribute to human welfare’. 

We Look to the Future. 

Whilst checking in on the past from time to time makes us feel good and wraps us up in a metaphoric hug, as design strategists we urgently seek out the new. Understand the value of looking ahead to the future and the future is as they say, is bright.  In fact, it is positively beaming with ideas, companies and innovation to get excited about. 

Time and time again we see that design and innovation is a process that can pull out the stops, delivering the goods when the world is free falling into a head spin. 2021 has been no different and thanks to TIME magazine, they have saved us a ton of work and pulled together the top 100 innovations that are changing the way we live. We have to agree that there are some pretty epic ones. 

https://time.com/collection/best-inventions-2021/

From befriending Robots called Robin who helps reduce fear and stress in children when they need make trips to the dentist or hospital to NVIDIA’s Omniverse.  A fantastic tool that is taking 3D simulation to the next level. We can’t wait to see the latest announcements due at @CES in January 22. 

We set out trying to pick our three favourites but to be honest, we failed miserably.  2021 literally is bursting at the seams with epic innovation and cool projects.  Can you do better and pick your top 3? 

Check out Robin the Robot at Robinrobot.co 

Final Thoughts 

Like everyone, the last few weeks of the year are always a busy time.  Project deadlines looming, cogs are spinning and mouse wheels furiously turning as we work hard on last minute projects but as we look out to the fresh New Year, we would love to chat more about how we can help YOU deliver YOUR next big thing.  From innovation and strategy workshops, visual brand language development, research and human centred skills to delivering the end product, get in touch with Kelly and the team and let’s plan for 2022.