Where does inspiration come from? Is it truly possible to conceive a completely original idea? I believe the answer lies in standing on the shoulders of giants—building upon existing ideas and refining them as far as our human capabilities allow. Innovation is rarely about creating from scratch; it’s about reimagining and improving what’s already there.
Consider the 1960s in the United States, when some of the brightest minds in science and physics, backed by billions of dollars, successfully sent humans to the Moon. Yet during the same era, people were still lugging around heavy suitcases, simply because nobody had thought to add wheels. It’s a humbling reminder that even the most brilliant advancements can overlook the simplest solutions. As a product designer, I see it as my duty to closely observe our home and lifestyle environments, identifying overlooked elements that could make life easier, especially in today’s digital era where we’ve uploaded much of our consciousness online.
Author Chuck Palahniuk once said, 'I am the combined effort of everyone I’ve ever known.' This quote resonates with me deeply. I believe that to create meaningful design, I must absorb as much as I can from the world around me, then distil what’s relevant to the present moment. It’s this constant process of learning, refining, and building upon foundational ideas that drives innovation. In a world where we are increasingly connected and influenced by each other, I see my role as a designer not just to invent, but to curate, refine, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of ideas that make a tangible difference in our daily lives.