In this enlightening conversation, Steph Ango, CEO of Obsidian, shares his multifaceted journey as a designer and entrepreneur. He emphasizes how creative constraints can enhance innovation and the delicate balance between freedom and discipline in the creative process. Steph discusses the importance of thoughtful tool design, privacy in a tech-dominated world, and the significance of personal agency. He also explores the transformative power of genuine passion and curiosity, urging listeners to cultivate resilience and engage deeply with their creative pursuits.
Steph Ango highlights the importance of constraints in sparking creativity, transforming limitations into frameworks that inspire innovative thinking.
The value of brevity in communication is emphasized, with concise writing serving to clarify complex ideas and enhance reader engagement.
Creating a distinctive personal brand through consistent visual language allows for immediate audience recognition and strengthens the connection with one's work.
Tools like Obsidian foster self-expression and deeper learning by providing customizable workflows that cater to individual cognitive styles and creativity.
Prioritizing one's personal interests is framed as essential for growth, enabling individuals to make meaningful decisions aligned with their true passions.
Deep dives
The Value of Constraints in Creativity
Constraints play a crucial role in fostering creativity, as emphasized by the speaker Steph Ongo. He reflects on his experiences starting from making Winamp skins, where limited pixel space forced him to innovate and think outside the box. This principle carried over into his approach to design and decision-making, exemplified during his time working with venture capital when fewer constraints led to indecision rather than clarity. By consciously imposing constraints in his creative process, Ongo finds inspiration and direction, transforming limitations into a framework for experimentation.
The Power of Brevity in Communication
Brevity in communication is a fundamental concept discussed by Steph Ongo, particularly in relation to his writing style. He shares his strategy of crafting concise essays aimed at conveying ideas effectively without extensive references or footnotes, as if addressing a younger version of himself. This method not only allows for clarity in communication but also helps the writer focus on the essence of their thoughts. By simplifying complex ideas, Ongo seeks to make his writing accessible and engaging, encouraging others to embrace this approach.
Personal Branding Through Visual Language
Steph Ongo emphasizes the significance of establishing a personal brand through consistent visual language. He explains how he created a custom color palette that reflects his design identity, allowing his work to be easily recognizable. This consistency not only applies to his writing and design projects but also extends to his social media presence. By cultivating a distinct visual identity, Ongo aims to foster immediate recognition and connection with his audience, reinforcing the idea that personal branding can be both impactful and meaningful.
Building Tools for Self-Expression and Learning
The discussion revolves around how tools like Obsidian enable self-expression and facilitate deeper learning. Steph Ongo highlights the significance of bidirectional linking and how such features empower users to create their own knowledge networks. By allowing individuals to customize their workflows, these tools cater to diverse cognitive needs and styles, promoting personal creativity. This malleability supports users in evolving their understanding and enhancing their capacity for creative thought without imposing rigid structures.
The Importance of Localized Knowledge in Homeownership
Ongo shares his experiences in homeownership, emphasizing the importance of localized knowledge when dealing with home-related issues. He contrasts the common practice of relying solely on professionals with the concept of actively engaging in problem-solving and understanding one's environment. By taking the time to learn about systems within his home, he found that he could make informed decisions rather than relinquishing control. This empowerment through knowledge highlights the value of personal agency over passive reliance on external expertise.
Navigating the Paradox of Selfishness
The concept of selfishness is presented as a vital element in personal growth and creativity. Ongo describes how being selfish, in the sense of prioritizing one's interests and passions, can lead individuals to make better decisions and pursue meaningful endeavors. Embracing this perspective allows people to align their actions with their true desires, ultimately benefiting not only themselves but also their communities. Ongo suggests that fostering this mindset supports a more profound sense of connection and agency in the world.
Emergence and the Complexity of Nature
Ongo discusses the idea of emergence, which posits that complex systems arise from simple interactions. He draws parallels between the functioning of nature and human society, suggesting that our efforts contribute to a larger evolution of life on Earth. By emphasizing that humans play a role as vital components within this system, he encourages a positive outlook on our relationship with technology. This perspective asserts that rather than being adversaries to nature, we are essential participants in a more extensive organism.
Investing in Curiosity for Continuous Growth
Both personal and collective growth are linked to the freedom to explore one's curiosity, according to Ongo. He argues that maintaining a long-term perspective toward interests fosters ongoing engagement and discovery. By pursuing knowledge and new experiences, individuals can cultivate a richer understanding of themselves and the world around them. This investment in curiosity ultimately leads to a more fulfilling and expansive life, reinforcing the significance of embracing and nurturing one's true passions.
Balancing Empathy and Understanding in Relationships
Ongo reflects on the value of empathy and understanding in love and relationships. He likens strong partnerships to having a safety net that provides emotional security when faced with life's challenges. This foundation allows individuals to explore personal growth, knowing they have someone supportive to rely upon. By nurturing these meaningful connections, Ongo believes people are better equipped to navigate the complexities of life together, fostering stronger bonds and shared values.
The Pursuit of Meaning Amidst Complexity
In a world filled with complexity and rapid change, Ongo encourages individuals to actively seek meaning and personal agency. By embracing creativity and focusing on personal growth, the speaker believes we can navigate the chaos and find fulfillment within our experiences. This mindset promotes a sense of purpose while allowing for exploration and the discovery of new passions. Ultimately, Ongo emphasizes that meaning emerges from our engagement with the world, highlighting the importance of actively participating in our own journeys.
Steph Ango aka Kepano (Website, X) is a designer, writer, entrepreneur,and toolmaker, best known as the CEO of Obsidian, a powerful and flexible writing and thinking tool.
Steph's education is in biology and industrial design, but he is true multi-hyphenate creative, working across mediums including software, hardware, supply chain and packaging, words, wood, furniture, ink, color schemes, open-source systems, video, podcasts, and more. Above all, he makes tools—deeply opinionated ones—designed to reduce friction for himself and others in the act of creating.
Steph joined Obsidian after initially contributing as a fan and enthusiast and impressing its co-founders, Shida Li and Erica Xu. Under his leadership, Obsidian has grown into one of the most beloved and powerful independent software tools in the world, with millions of users. As a daily user myself, I rely on Obsidian for my research and thinking for this podcast. Before Obsidian, Steph founded Lumi and Inkodye, the former of which was acquired by Narvar.
Beyond design, Steph is one of my favorite writers. His concise, sub-500-word essays have shaped my thinking on design, software, learning, agency, constraints, and creativity. While we couldn’t cover all of his ideas in this conversation, we explored many of them in what became my longest conversation to date—one that is packed with wisdom. I believe these ideas will challenge you in unexpected ways and push you to be more creative, agentic, and optimistic.
