“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That’s because they were able to connect experiences they’ve had and synthesize new things.”
- February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011
- American
- Entrepreneur, businessman, industrial designer
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Quote
“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That’s because they were able to connect experiences they’ve had and synthesize new things.”
Explanation
In this quote, Steve Jobs explains his view of creativity as the ability to connect disparate ideas and experiences in new ways. He suggests that creative people don’t invent ideas out of nowhere; instead, they draw from a wide range of experiences and synthesize them into something fresh. This process often feels effortless to them because they have simply connected the dots in a way that might not have been immediately obvious to others. Jobs emphasizes that creativity is not magic, but rather the ability to see patterns and relationships between ideas, often through the lens of previous experiences.
Jobs’ perspective on creativity highlights the importance of cross-disciplinary learning and openness to diverse influences. By bringing together ideas from different fields and perspectives, innovators can create something entirely new. This is why many successful inventions and designs are often inspired by experiences or knowledge outside of their primary domain. In the case of Apple, Jobs was known for seeking inspiration not only from technology but also from art, design, and philosophy, making Apple products stand out with their elegance and user-centered design.
In today’s world, this idea of connecting experiences remains at the core of innovation. In fields like technology, design, and even business, successful creators and entrepreneurs often look beyond their industry for inspiration. Whether it’s combining insights from different technologies, art forms, or cultures, the ability to make these connections can lead to groundbreaking innovations. Jobs’ approach to creativity encourages us to value the experiences we gather and be open to how they might intersect in new and surprising ways.
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