Innovation begins with interaction
We often think that human and societal evolution is driven by the discovery of something new - by a breakthrough insight or a sudden invention. But if we take a closer look at the mechanisms that truly move the world forward, we realize that progress rarely stems from isolated acts of creation. It comes instead from a web of influences, exchanges, and interactions that allow ideas to spread and take root.
Interactions - between people, cultures, disciplines, and technologies - are the true driving force behind change. It’s not the brilliance of an idea that transforms things, but its ability to be shared, to adapt to different contexts, to generate collective value. This is where the distinction between invention and innovation lies: the former can remain locked away in a lab, while the latter comes to life only when it becomes part of people’s everyday lives, reshaping habits, processes, and perspectives.
Let’s Talk. That’s How Things Evolve.
As a product designer, I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of interaction - not just in terms of interfaces and functionality, but as a form of exchange between individuals, cultures, and environments. Over time, travel has added a deeply personal layer to this understanding. Experiencing different places has allowed me to see firsthand how user behaviors shift depending on geographic and cultural background, and how that shapes people’s relationships with products, technology, and the spaces around them.
This variability isn’t just anecdotal. It’s supported by a wide body of psychological and anthropological research that shows how culture affects perception, attention, and decision-making. It’s no coincidence that large global companies invest heavily in localizing their products. Tailoring experiences to the geographic and cultural context isn’t just a strategic decision - it’s essential to create relevance, clarity, and connection with an audience.
And if we go even deeper, cultural differences extend into how people think. As demonstrated by the studies of Nisbett and Masuda (2001, 2003), the way Europeans and Asians process visual information differs significantly. People from Asian cultures tend to focus more on context and the overall picture, while those from Western cultures are more likely to zero in on central or salient elements. These dynamics have a direct impact on design. They remind us that user experience is never universal - it’s always filtered through cultural, cognitive, and relational lenses that deserve attention and respect.
