Guest Post: John Kochmanski // @JohnKochmanski

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Simple is hard, over-thinking is easy.

Simple is useable, complex is not.

Simple is elegant, elaborate is gaudy.

Simple is refined, complicated is naive.

Items that appear to be simple in design and function, in most cases have been labored over more than an item that has all the bells and whistles. They're not trying to be all things to everybody, they need to do one thing well for for as many people as possible. This is no easy task.

Simple inspires me to explore the many options and subtract that which is not needed. It forces me keep the user in mind and make their life as simple as possible.

Simple is hard, useable, elegant, refined, and makes our lives easier by minimizing frustration.

Guest Post: John Kochmanski // @JohnKochmanski

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I know what you're thinking - how can a dock inspire anyone? Short answer is, it won't, but if you hang with me for a bit you'll understand why it inspires me.

Our dock was the place where, as small children, we tossed fear aside and jumped into what was unknown to us as our parents applauded. It was the place we stood with our first fishing pole hoping to catch our first fish. It was the place we talked with friends and family. It was the place where we would lay on our backs staring at the sky.

The dock was the place for many "firsts." Each person in my family has experienced something for the first time on the dock.

So why does the dock inspire me?

It's a place to let go of your fears and just be in the moment. A place to let your imagination take you to places you don't even understand. A place where you can slow down and experience a "first."

Guest Post: John Kochmanski // @JohnKochmanski

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There are a lot of things that inspire me. An older couple out for a walk, hand in hand. A warm breeze hitting my face as I close my eyes and look in to the sun. The curiosity of a child. Standing in the middle of a forest. A fly that repeatedly slams in to a window while trying to escape to the outdoors. The list goes on and on.

I struggled with which topic to discuss. A "kid" I met recently kept popping into my head, so I'd like you to meet Aaron Shafer. Aaron is a young artist from West Michigan that is on a quest to create as much art as he can. You see, Aaron has Stargardt disease which causes progressive vision loss usually to the point of legal blindness. He is loosing his eyesight and for most artists this would be devastating. He doesn't complain that he has Stargardt, but will quickly tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the disease.

He doesn't use his malady as an excuse, but embraces it and moves on. Aaron and others like Aaron, deeply inspire me. Those of us that have not experienced the loss of a limb, loss of eyesight or another form of hardship often lose motivation to do what truly makes us happy. We have hundreds, if not thousands of excuses for why.  Self included.

Embrace what your gut is telling you and do what is eating at you. No excuses.