FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Design Defines Human Progress 

New book—‘Return on Experience’—identifies the fundamental belief underpinning the success of the world’s leading companies.

New York, February 16, 2021 

A wide-ranging new book has brought the value of designing human experience into focus.

‘Return on Experience’ reflects the fundamental belief that explains the success of the world’s leading companies: that all human existence has been the result of a progression of successful design outcomes, and that design is therefore integral to all we do. 

Co-authored by Tim Kobe, Founder of Eight Inc., and Roger Lehman, a psychoanalyst, and professor, the book dissects 12 themes that all professionals involved in the business of experience design will encounter. Themes such as risk, empathy, differentiation, and complexity. The human-focused insights revealed are those behind the iconic design projects that are yielding extraordinary business results—by first creating extraordinary human success.

These projects include: the Apple Store, a visionary innovation said to have been "obvious in retrospect"; Virgin Atlantic's lounges, aircraft experience, casinos, and hotels; and Lincoln China's celebrated entrance into the Chinese dealership market.

Presented in a question and answer format to give additional insight and context, Return on Experience will be at home on the shelves of designers and artists as it is on those of business leaders and educators. Far from being another treatise on the do's and don'ts of design or business, it offers a reflection on how we should see design, and how we can make sense of the things it creates.

"Design is and always has been part of a conversation," says Kobe. "Return on Experience captures the dialogue that is taking place with the world's most successful people and companies. More than a single path, it reflects the beliefs and practice of the incredible business leaders, designers, colleagues, and collaborators we are fortunate to design with."

Tim Kobe is the founder and CEO of Eight Inc., and founder of X8 Ventures. A design leader, author, and business innovator, he frequently speaks about creating value through design, leading creative teams, and how to bring innovation to business leaders and design teams around the world. A designer by training from the prestigious Art Center College of Design, he has won numerous design awards and lectures globally.

Roger Lehman is a psychoanalyst and Senior Lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management as well as Emeritus Senior Affiliate Professor at INSEAD, France. Through conversation with Kobe, Lehman contributes a systems psychodynamic perspective that builds on the concepts and ideas put forward. In doing so he illuminates the role and impact of these concepts and ideas within organizations and society, as well as their impact on design.

Eight Inc. is a global creative collective that specializes in designing innovative, integrated human experiences. Its 200+ business creatives and strategic designers collaborate across 11 studios, 7 time zones, and 3 continents.

Return on Experience is available to purchase on Amazon.com today. For more information, see https://eightinc.com/

Media contact:

Eight Inc.
Attn: Media Relations
New York
+1 212 982 1281
tallett@eightinc.com