Objectified (2009)
Before a product can be sold, it has to be designed. This film pulls back the curtain on the creative process behind the everyday items we use, from toothbrushes to high-end electronics. Featuring interviews with influential designers like Jonathan Ive
from Apple and visionaries from the global design firm IDEO, "Objectified" explores the complex relationship between people and manufactured objects. For anyone running a Shopify store, this is a masterclass in understanding why some products feel essential while others are forgettable. It forces you to think more deeply about the 'why' behind what you sell and how its form, function, and feel connect with a customer on an emotional level.
Design & Thinking (2012)
What if there was a better way to solve problems? This documentary explores "design thinking," a creative and collaborative process that businesses are using to innovate and adapt. The film poses a fundamental question: How can organizations tackle the ambiguous challenges of the 21st century? For a solo founder or a small team behind a Shopify brand, this mindset is a superpower. It’s about more than aesthetics; it’s a framework for understanding your customer, iterating on your products, and building a business that is resilient and human-centered. It’s the perfect film for shifting your perspective from just selling products to solving problems.
Helvetica (2007)
You might not think a film about a font could be captivating, but you’d be wrong. "Helvetica" is a fascinating look at typography, graphic design, and the visual culture that surrounds us. The film brilliantly illustrates how something as seemingly mundane as a typeface can convey authority, warmth, or modernity, profoundly influencing a brand's identity. For entrepreneurs building a brand from scratch, it’s a crucial lesson in the power of visual communication. After watching this, you’ll never look at a logo, a website, or a product label the same way again. It proves that in business, every single detail matters.
Maker (2014)
This documentary dives headfirst into the "maker movement," a subculture of independent inventors, designers, and craftspeople who are creating their own products, often with new technologies like 3D printing. The film celebrates the spirit of hands-on creation and the shift away from mass consumption toward unique, personally crafted goods. This is the very essence of so many Shopify success stories—the artisan who starts an online store from their garage, the hobbyist who turns a passion into a profession. "Maker" is an inspiring look at the heart of modern American entrepreneurship and the people who are redefining what it means to build a business.
Everything is a Remix (2015)
The pressure to be completely original can be paralyzing for any creator or entrepreneur. This short documentary series makes a powerful argument: creativity isn't about conjuring something from nothing, but about cleverly combining, transforming, and building upon existing ideas. The film analyzes everything from folk music to blockbuster movies to show how borrowing and inspiration are fundamental to innovation. For a Shopify owner trying to find their niche or develop a new product line, this is a deeply liberating concept. It suggests that the next great idea might not be a lightning strike of genius, but a smart recombination of what’s already around you.
