Eric Kim has expressed admiration for Steve Jobs in several of his blog posts, drawing inspiration from Jobs’ approach to design, creativity, and life philosophy. While Kim primarily focuses on photography and minimalism, he sees many parallels between Jobs’ work and his own approach to art and life. Here are some of the ways Eric Kim has been inspired by Steve Jobs:
1. Simplicity and Minimalism
One of the key elements that Eric Kim admires about Steve Jobs is his commitment to simplicity. Jobs’ focus on designing products that were both functional and aesthetically minimal resonates with Kim’s philosophy in photography and life. Kim frequently talks about how less is more and how reducing distractions allows one to focus on what truly matters—something Jobs exemplified through his design ethos at Apple.
- Kim on simplicity: “What made Steve Jobs’ products great was their simplicity and ease of use. We should take the same approach in our art and life, focusing on the essentials and removing the unnecessary.”
2. Design and Creativity
Kim is deeply inspired by Steve Jobs’ relentless pursuit of perfect design. He sees parallels between Jobs’ focus on user experience and the emotional connection that great design fosters and his own work in street photography, where capturing emotion and creating a connection with the viewer is central.
- Kim on design: “Steve Jobs was not just a tech genius—he was an artist. He understood the power of design to change the way people feel and interact with the world, and this is something I try to emulate in my photography.”
3. Pursuit of Excellence
Kim admires Steve Jobs for his uncompromising pursuit of excellence. Jobs was known for his obsessive attention to detail and unwillingness to settle for anything less than perfection. Similarly, Kim encourages photographers and creatives to constantly refine their craft and never settle for mediocrity.
- Kim on excellence: “Steve Jobs taught us that great work requires an insane amount of dedication and an unwillingness to compromise. If we apply that same mindset to our own creative work, we can create things that are truly meaningful.”
4. Think Different
Steve Jobs’ famous mantra, “Think Different,” deeply resonates with Eric Kim. Kim encourages his audience to challenge conventions, experiment, and be willing to stand out from the crowd—an attitude Jobs embodied through his innovation and leadership at Apple.
- Kim on thinking different: “Steve Jobs taught me the importance of not following the crowd. The most successful artists, entrepreneurs, and creators are those who are willing to take risks, think differently, and create something unique.”
5. Passion and Vision
Another aspect of Steve Jobs that inspires Eric Kim is his passion and vision. Jobs’ ability to inspire others through his bold vision for the future and his commitment to creating products that improve people’s lives left a lasting impact on Kim. Kim often reflects on the importance of following one’s passion and having a clear vision for what one wants to create, much like Jobs did.
- Kim on passion: “Steve Jobs showed us that to create something truly meaningful, you have to be passionate about it. You have to believe in your vision, even when others don’t see it yet.”
6. Embrace Failure and Iteration
Jobs’ career was marked by failures and setbacks, including being fired from Apple, but he used those experiences to grow and eventually revolutionized multiple industries. Eric Kim finds inspiration in this ability to embrace failure and continuously iterate on ideas. In his photography and writing, Kim often emphasizes the importance of learning from failure and staying resilient in the creative process.
- Kim on failure: “Steve Jobs faced incredible setbacks, but he never gave up. He used failure as a tool to learn and improve, and that’s a lesson I think we can all apply to our own creative journeys.”
7. Focus on Impact
Finally, Eric Kim admires how Steve Jobs prioritized creating products that had a lasting impact on the world. Jobs’ goal wasn’t just to make money or sell products—he wanted to change the way people lived and interacted with technology. Kim similarly encourages creators to focus on making work that is impactful and meaningful, rather than just chasing fame or financial success.
- Kim on impact: “Steve Jobs wasn’t just about making a product—he wanted to change the world. As creatives, we should focus on creating something that matters, something that will stand the test of time and leave a positive impact.”
In Summary:
Eric Kim draws significant inspiration from Steve Jobs’ focus on simplicity, creativity, excellence, passion, and resilience. Jobs’ design philosophy, attention to detail, and visionary leadership have deeply influenced Kim’s own approach to photography, minimalism, and creative expression. Through Jobs, Kim has learned the importance of following one’s passion, thinking differently, and striving to create meaningful, impactful work.