Steve
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice, heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” – Steven P. Jobs (Image by Jonathan Mak)
How can I be a designer and not be moved by the death of one of the most brilliant designers of the modern age?
No, Steve Jobs wasn’t a graphic designer or an industrial designer or an interior designer or an architect or a fashion designer. But he was unequivocally a designer.
He envisioned not just products, but a new way of being in the world. A new way of working, and of playing. And he brought that vision to life.
He was the guy who decided things needed to be simple and beautiful. He was the one who dictated removing the clutter and enhancing the experience. He used the hands and hearts and brilliant minds of a huge team of stellar creators to sculpt a company — one that could create objects and adventures so beautifully designed that millions and millions of people wanted them. And wanted to be a part of his new vision of the world as well.
Was that world perfect? Not even close. But designed? Absolutely.
I was talking to my mom tonight about Steve Jobs. She mentioned that, for her, his legacy was bringing “things that just work” to people who don’t even necessarily desire the most innovative and creative products. I thought that was an interesting take on it. I always view Apple products as an experience- pushing things forward and admiration for the beauty and cleanness of the design. My parents truly just loved the fact that they could learn the system easily and it always worked. They now have a MacBook Pro, an iMac, and iPod Touch, two iPhones, and an iPad. It obviously won them over!
And one from my cousin Jeb Schary:
Jason Fried from 37signals said it best and ends his remembrance of Steve Jobs with a great question.
http://www.inc.com/ss/steve-jobs-remembered#14
Beautiful and so true.
Now it’s your turn Josh!
(You look like him too!)