Who’s in your Innovation Cheering Gallery?

By: Fatema Fatakdawala

Developing a new product or idea can be risky if you’re alone trying to do all the testing, developing and product introduction yourself. Ever thought of sharing your ideas with a trusted partner or collaborator to make your idea a reality—and an even bigger success?

There are tried and true techniques to find collaboration opportunities, share the development load, involve local academic institutions and businesses, and work with like-minded people. Come and learn first hand from industry expert, John Domm, at Innovate>Forward’s next session on June 19: Innovation Collaboration: Working with Like-Minded People.

Domm is a research scientist and R&D Optics manager at Christie Digital. Christie®, a global visual technologies company, that is one of the most innovative visual technology companies in the world. With its engineering and manufacturing headquartered in Kitchener, Ontario, Christie consistently demonstrates the power of collaboration in innovation.

Christie brings many collaborators into “its cheering gallery”. The company is an active member of the Canadian Digital Media Network and continually partners with local high-tech companies to leverage competencies and build digital media tools.  Throughout the R&D process for Christie MicroTiles, for example, researchers at the Kitchener facility worked with the students at the University Of Waterloo School Of Architecture to help test, develop and explain concepts for MicroTiles.

Other supporters and collaborators were brought into the process as Christie scientists consulted with experts at the School of Optometry for optical design and human visual responses then worked with the Faculty of Arts to explore how MicroTiles could be used in live theater. Read more.

Christie also worked with York University on human response information for digital signage, and most recently, showcased Thirty-six Christie® MicroTiles® at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs. The Munk Centre is an interdisciplinary academic center focusing on global issues and has hosted prime ministers, cabinet ministers and ambassadors. Installed in the front wall of the 6 units wide by 6 units high Christie MicroTiles array displays Blu-ray videos, still images and PowerPoint presentations for foreign and domestic officials who present their research findings at the facility.

Find out how to put others in to your cheering gallery. Join Innovate>Forward for Session 6, Innovation Collaboration: Working With Like-Minded People, Tuesday, June 19, 7.30-9.30 AM.

Fatema joins the RIC team as the Communications Officer responsible for marketing, social media, event and web management. She is a graduate student pursuing her final year in the Master of Biotechnology program at the University of Toronto Mississauga.