The Andrew Kim/Next Microsoft story isn't really about design or ideas.

It's about speed to market.

We dream: Could all large corporate re-branding assignments take just three days?

Perhaps, provided the artist gets to work alone, without input or feedback, and ships whatever they make with absolute creative control.

It's doubtful anyone at Microsoft has the power to authorize those terms.

Still, the work is impressive. As Kosner put it at Forbes, “Kim has identified unique strengths that Microsoft can exploit to remake themselves.”

What's on display here is a trade off.

In exchange for great work, fast -- you have to give up control over the outcome.

Any takers?