Congratulations on your teamwork and creative problem-solving!  Thinking outside the box helps designers find unique ways to address all kinds of problems, which is what scientist Signe Preuschoft did when she designed the Orangutan Jungle School in Borneo.  Recognizing the damage that humans were doing to this endangered species, she set out to rescue orphaned orangutans and teach them to survive in the wild.  The school “orangutizes” the humans who care for the young primates in order to teach them, in a more natural way, the skills they need to graduate and live on their own in the jungle.

Way to ask good questions!  Wondering how the power of play could help his son and other children, designer Jason Mayden left his dream job at Nike to start his own company, Superheroic.  The company designs sneakers (with soles inspired by a mountain goat’s hoof!) and other equipment to spark kids’ imaginations and support the way they move.  Mayden’s company embraces its mission of building stronger children by understanding that play helps children imagine who they want to be, push their limits, and grow.

That’s how to get the ball rolling!  To find out if an idea will work, you have to bring it into the world and try it out, like the Tokyo Olympic Committee did when they imagined making the 2020 Olympic medals entirely out of recycled metal.  To make this dream a reality—and collect the eight tons of precious metal needed—the Committee asked people across the country to donate old electronic devices.  It took two years and the support of countless citizens, but The Medal Project reached its goal.  In July, the Committee kicked off the one-year countdown to the start of the Games by revealing the design for the medals, which highlights themes of brilliance, hard work, friendship, and diversity.

Now you see…testing is the key to a good product and a happy user!  Products that don’t work like they’re supposed to can be frustrating and confusing, which is why companies like L.L.Bean put their goods to the test to find out how, when, and where they will break down.  See for yourself how the L.L.Bean lab technician flexes, pulls, stretches, and stresses products to make sure they deserve a spot in the company’s lineup.