the platypus philosophy

innovation blooms when we embrace our uniqueness

Real-world innovation demands boldness. It's about daring to tread uncharted waters, even if it means facing the possibility of failure. In the realm of Design Innovation, we don't see failure as defeat, but as a crucial step towards discovery. We stumble. We learn. We leap forward.

As creative explorers, we embark on a journey of design and discovery. We’re fearless. We’re resilient. And most importantly, we’re bursting with ideas. Joining courage to boundless creativity, we tackle the challenges that come our way.

As we join forces with our clients and their stakeholders, a remarkable transformation occurs. Together, we blossom into a force to be reckoned with, making the world a brighter place. This is where we truly come alive. This is where we bloom.

meet the platypuses

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What exactly is Design Innovation?

Design Innovation is all about looking at a challenge and working iteratively to find lasting change that works for you. But to get there, you have to put people first. We’re all human, so in order to see the bigger picture, we need to have empathy and an understanding of what makes people tick. How else can we address real-world needs and make sure what we’re offering resonates on a personal level?

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The first ever scientific description of the platypus.
© The Naturalist's Miscellany, George Shaw, 1799.

The story behind our name

When British scientists first laid eyes upon the platypus, they feared they’d been pranked. With a duck's bill, an otter's body and a beaver's tail, the creature seemed so curious it was almost make-believe. Nevertheless, boasting more than 200 million years of existence, this odd-looking animal is the perfect example of success borne from strangeness; a triumph much greater than the sum of its component parts. What a glorious metaphor for Design Innovation.

Just like the platypus, every human is a vibrant combination of backgrounds, disciplines, mindsets, abilities and expertise. To break new ground and stand out, we have to work hand in hand to challenge each other's views and uncover new perspectives.

The Platypus is also indirectly a symbol of courage. For nearly a century, scientists hesitated to acknowledge it as a legitimate species, fearing ridicule. Being innovative requires bravery as it can lead to success or failure. Either way, you shouldn’t wait a century to do something. You have to give it a go. The great thing about Design Innovation is that we fail quickly and very early in the process – we don’t see it as failure but as learning.

United in doing better

It’s a simple premise. We want to make the world a better place. And through our work at The Blooming Platypus, we get to do it in a meaningful and ethical way. We’re all about having a positive impact which is why we always think about your situation, and how it will affect society and the environment.

Meet the Platypuses

The Blooming Platypus is a patchwork of designers with varied backgrounds, interests and experiences. Similarly, we collaborate with a diverse range of partners, each with different expertise to our own, who supplement our unique skills and help our best versions bloom.

We recognise that we cannot possibly know everything, and embrace the power of uniting collective, creative minds.