Inspiration in Contrast

In most people’s vocabularies, design means veneer.

It’s interior decorating. It's the fabric of the curtains of the sofa.

But to me, nothing could be further from the meaning of design.

Design is the fundamental soul of a human-made creation that ends up expressing itself in successive outer layers of the product or service.

— Steve Jobs

The above quote comes from a diverse collection of thoughts about inspiration and creativity.

I'm back.
I've realized that there are still so many things I encounter in my everyday life that inspire or intrigue me and beg to be shared.

The collection of quotes in which I found the Steve Jobs one above struck me as an interesting display of contrast. There's a wide variety of thoughts about creative pursuits and their relationship to culture and society.

I have found that my personal view of the world centers on the realization that one cannot have light without darkness, success without failure, good without evil. In order to do something "different" and artist must know from what he or she wants to differ. The realm of art, design, and creativity would not exist without the presence of contrast in materials, challenges, purpose, thought, perspective, vision. Similarity is equally important, but I think the contrasts in life provide the true flavor and fulfillment many of us seek.