Our Story
LUMA was created around a clear purpose: to empower everyone to make things better.
Helping everyone be more innovative
LUMA exists for a single reason, as our vision statement explains: to be a catalyst that empowers people to innovate, everywhere.
Our story begins within MAYA Design, a world-class design consultancy and technology research lab (acquired by BCG in 2017). As MAYA used human-centered design methods for all types of projects, clients would ask, “Can you teach us to work this way?” LUMA was founded in 2010 to do exactly that, on a global scale.
Creating the LUMA System
To teach people — and we mean A LOT of people — how to apply human-centered design, we needed an approach that was practical, easy-to-learn, flexible and scalable.
We did rigorous research, testing and assessment. From this work, we crafted a unique collection of human-centered design methods organized around three key design skills — Looking, Understanding and Making. These methods can be used individually or combined in different ways to address any and every stage of problem solving.
We call it the LUMA System of Innovation. You won’t find another approach to human-centered design like it anywhere.
Empowering people around the world
Today, people are learning and applying the LUMA System all over the world, in organizations of all types, through hands-on training; our one-of-a-kind digital platform LUMA Workplace®; and our handbook “Innovating for People.”
We’re honored that since our founding, LUMA has grown primarily through word-of-mouth referrals from enthusiastic clients. As a catalyst that empowers people to innovate, we measure our success by what they achieve using the LUMA System.
Organizations innovating on their own
LUMA’s role as a catalyst – not a consultancy – means that every relationship focuses on getting teams and organizations innovating on their own, as quickly as possible. Think of the well-known proverb: “Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.”
After initial conversations about goals and aspirations, we work with organizations to find the right approach within LUMA’s range of offerings — or even something new, devised together.
If you think we can help you, your team or your organization, we’d love to have a conversation.
Let's talk
