The Living Library: Driving Innovation and Knowledge

Staying ahead in the fast-moving digital landscape requires more than just talent and innovation. It demands systems that evolve alongside the changing landscape, ensuring one stays relevant and effective. Without a framework that encourages this evolution, even the best described goals remain just visions. As a result of our focus on actionable strategy, we’ve created a living repository of tools and resources to fuel continuous progress & systematic growth—codename Lighthouse.

This system ensures we’re always equipped with the latest, most effective tools. Our Library of Design Tools, something we call “Lighthouse”, is a curated, evolving resource that houses every design tool, software, and resource we’ve tested, used, or even discarded along the way. It’s a living system that helps us remain agile, informed, and ahead of the competition.

Sep 2024
Creative Internals

A Modern Take on the Library of Alexandria

The concept behind Lighthouse is inspired by the Library of Alexandria, an ancient centre of knowledge where every passing ship had to share its books for copying and preservation. In our organisation, every tool or software that a team member encounters—whether for design, development, or strategy—gets documented in our library. This means not only are successful tools archived, but also those that were trialed and deemed unfit for our workflows.

Even when a tool is quickly archived, it remains a valuable resource. Team members can return to see why a tool didn’t work for us, saving time when considering new options. By requiring that each tool gets entered into this library, we ensure that knowledge accumulates and is shared across the team, benefiting current and future projects.

When a new ship, I mean person, passes through; they can benefit from the wealth of knowledge and exploration of the entire fleet.

Striking a Balance Between Rigour and Agility

Every tool added to Lighthouse goes through a thorough vetting process before becoming part of our production workflow. When a new tool shows potential, it is first documented and tested by multiple team members across different categories, such as Iconography, 3D & AR, or Web Design & Development. Team members provide feedback based on their experience with the tool, which helps us determine whether it should be archived, adjusted for further testing, or fully integrated into our processes.

This approach ensures we work with the best tools for the job while maintaining agility in the creative process. By continuously challenging our methods and keeping our toolkit sharp, we embrace new opportunities and innovations as they arise.

This is a balance we are still working to perfect. There’s always room for growth, and the ongoing evolution of this process motivates us to periodically revisit how we work, reflect on our progress, and refine our approach to stay ahead.

Why This Matters

This system doesn’t just keep us organised—it’s a key part of ensuring Bright Artistry’s services remain ahead of the competition. Our client partners trust that our solutions are built with the best, most effective tools, keeping their digital products not only relevant but cutting-edge. Whether it’s a new feature, a brand refresh, or a technical build, the tools in our library allow us to ship faster, smarter, and better.

The Categories That Shape the Library

Our library spans a wide range of categories, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of what we do. Some of the main categories include:

  • Iconography: Tools for sourcing, creating, and refining icons.
  • Theory & Thought: Resources for insightful philosophy, effective system design and ways of working.
  • Inspiration: Sources and tools for sparking creativity and innovation.
  • 3D & AR: Resources that assist in creating immersive visual experiences.
  • AI: Software for automating design processes or enhancing strategic decision-making.
  • Illustrations: Tools that help us craft unique and memorable visuals.
  • Web Design & Development: Resources for building functional, user-friendly websites.

Each of these categories are actively contributed to, and every new addition is scrutinised before being accepted as a core tool. This ensures that we continuously improve while adapting to new advancements in technology and design.

The Results: Staying at the Forefront

The results of this meticulous process are clear: we stay ahead of the curve, always using tools that ensure our services and products are cutting-edge. This also means that our client partners benefit, knowing their digital solutions are developed using the best tools available. Whether it’s a website overhaul, brand refresh, or the development of a fully fledged software stack, they can be confident they’re getting a solution built with the latest and greatest tools that have been vetted for quality and performance.

The Future of Lighthouse

We are constantly updating this library, ensuring that it remains a first port of call for any team member looking to explore new options or revisit old ones. Much like the Library of Alexandria, it serves as a beacon of knowledge, continually evolving as we do. With every new tool added, tested, or archived, we deepen our understanding of the design landscape, helping us deliver more innovative and effective solutions to our clients.

At Bright Artistry, we don’t just create—we create with precision, backed by tools that have been tried, tested, and perfected. Our Design Tools Library ensures that we always have access to the best resources available, driving both innovation and excellence in every project we undertake.