By Justin Brown, Senior Art Director
It’s finally here, the day Steve Jobs personally addressed the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community that he could no longer meet his duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO. The resignation of an innovator, visionary and creative genius.
Having been fortunate enough to have worked and used Apple products since I was in elementary school (wow, nearly 20 years ago!) I am really quite saddened to hear of Steve Jobs’ resignation. The letter itself felt more like the passing of an era and legend.
Steve Jobs invented, lead and brilliantly marketed the change in devices that have transformed everyday technology and how we use them. Building off Apple’s countercultural understanding and Jobs’ minimalist design ethic, he introduced one revolutionary product after another.
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Stanford 2005 Graduate Address.
Despite being ousted early on, and most recently his declining health, Jobs helped change computers from a geeky obsession to a necessity of modern life at work and home. In the process, he revolutionized not just personal computing but the mobile and music industries as well. He arguably had more impact on how we consume content in the digital age than anybody else. For Steve, “It just makes sense.”
When Jobs spoke during his presentations in his legendary black mock turtlenecks, jeans and sneakers, everyone anxiously listened, blogged and applauded every word. Even when presentations didn’t go as planned, or were given in response to imperfections in product design, Jobs found a way to ease the consumer’s mind and make it right.
“Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations.”
Now, we sit back and wait for the latest idea of “One more thing.”
Applause.