Last Thursday, 21 October, The B!G Idea proudly took to the stage at the Responsible Innovation Summit, now in its fifth year. This annual event explores how innovation can actively shape a more sustainable economy.
At the summit, our Instigator and CEO, Kim Mackenzie-Doyle, led a dynamic conversation with three returning mentors: Stephen Ledwidge (Design Director at RichardsDee), Lorna Ross (Chief Innovation Officer at VHI), and Ashwin Chacko (Illustrator and Designer). Together, they unpacked why creative skills are essential for the next decade and how stronger links between industry and education can unlock meaningful change.
As industries evolve at speed, adaptability becomes critical. According to Ashwin, creative problem-solving gives people the flexibility to move into emerging roles that do not yet exist. He pointed out that education has not fully caught up with the pace of innovation in industry. Therefore, when schools actively teach creative skills, they prepare students to navigate uncertainty with confidence.
Meanwhile, Lorna highlighted the growing anxiety surrounding global challenges. Although public conversations often focus on what is broken, fewer discussions explore how we might fix those issues. For that reason, creative thinking plays a vital role. It encourages expansive thinking, collaboration, and optimism — all of which help us confront complex problems constructively.
Stephen added another perspective. Rather than limiting creative skills to professionals, he argued that creativity is a life skill. Just as we do not teach maths only to mathematicians, we should not confine creativity to designers. Instead, it strengthens communication, teamwork, and everyday problem-solving across all industries.
When students interact directly with industry professionals, the impact becomes immediate and tangible.
Ashwin reflected on his own transition from college into the workplace. He experienced a significant gap between theory and practice. However, early exposure to industry realities would have helped him apply his skills more confidently. By connecting classrooms with professionals, we help students understand how their learning translates into real-world action.
From Lorna’s perspective, visibility also matters. During her education, creative professionals rarely appeared in schools. Today, however, industries urgently need more designers and creative thinkers integrated into everyday business practice. Creativity can no longer sit on the margins — it must move into the mainstream.
Stephen also emphasised that mentorship works both ways. Students gain expanded worldviews and fresh ambition. At the same time, mentors rediscover energy and enthusiasm through student engagement. As a result, both sides benefit.
Beyond education, organisations must actively nurture creativity within their own teams.
First, leadership commitment matters. Lorna stressed that creativity must start at the senior level. Although many companies talk about innovation, leaders must visibly champion it. Without that top-down support, junior creatives often struggle to influence wider culture.
Equally important is creating space. Ashwin distinguished between “creatives” and “creativity.” Everyone possesses creative potential; however, creativity functions like a muscle and requires practice. Therefore, organisations must create both mental and physical environments where ideas can grow.
Stephen reinforced this point. In creative workshops, he sees how safe spaces allow ideas to breathe before being judged. When people feel secure, they explore more freely.
Finally, failure must become acceptable. Ashwin made it clear that exploration inevitably involves mistakes. Yet those so-called failures often strengthen the final idea. Consequently, businesses that allow experimentation push the creative envelope further.
Education continues to evolve. While traditional memorisation still exists, project-based learning and student voice increasingly shape modern classrooms.
Stephen explained that different students learn in different ways. For some, understanding develops through making, testing, and rebuilding — not simply memorising. Hands-on engagement unlocks deeper learning.
Lorna broadened the discussion further. Education often treats the brain as a storage place for information. However, the model’s creativity challenges. It invites students to imagine, experiment, and perceive beyond the obvious. In doing so, it activates far more cognitive potential.
Ashwin concluded by emphasising the power of excellent teachers. A passionate teacher can completely transform how a subject feels. Moreover, when students understand why they learn something — not just what to remember — engagement increases significantly. Purpose fuels motivation.
Ultimately, the summit reinforced a clear message: creativity is not optional. It underpins responsible innovation, economic resilience, and social progress.
By strengthening connections between industry and education, we equip young people with adaptable, future-ready skills. At the same time, we energise professionals through meaningful engagement with the next generation.
At The B!G Idea, we believe innovation begins with creative confidence — and that confidence grows when people have space to think, explore, and experiment.
