Photo by Matthew Yohe

In August, I posted an open thank you letter to Steve Jobs of Apple in response to his retirement.  My thoughts now turn to compassion at his passing.  I also think of how his work has fulfilled so many of our dreams.

Back at the start, he was building the tools for which we designers were hungry.  He could clearly envision what we needed, and created it.  This momentum continued far beyond into the very fabric of our modern lives.

As we move forward without his leadership, we see a void and we wonder about the future.  In a way, perhaps the next wave of development is now collectively held with all of us.  Perhaps the next advancement most readily open to us is how we use the tools Steve’s passion created for us – with mindfulness and insight.

Thank You to Steve Jobs – from a graphic designer

I would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU to Steve Jobs of Apple, who resigned as CEO today.  Steve’s incredible vision transformed, and continues to transform, the way designers and illustrators work.

Steve Jobs, chair of the board of Apple Computers, holds up an Apple II computer in 1984. (AP/Wide World Photos)

What joy to be able to quickly create on-screen the ideas and images in our minds!  We almost take it for granted now but this has been an amazing process of innovation and change during the past 3 decades.

While a Graphic Designer’s inner skills of strategic, creative design and marketing insight remain irreplaceable, the tools of the trade have transformed dramatically from layout paper, markers, technical pen, art knife, repro camera and drawing board; into powerful desktop workstations and laptop computers that enable typographic and image manipulation magic to happen almost as fast as we can think it.  Almost.

I continue to DREAM of the day when the iPad becomes a true graphics workstation – images, media and typography moved with a touch, and illustrations created with a paintbrush-on-canvas feel – this magic is coming, I’m sure of it.  In fact many of the components are already present.

Steve’s vision and steadfastness through the years – and that of the outstanding professionals who supported him and made his ideas come to life – established the pathway for the creation of tools that enable our own creative vision to be manifested with ever-increasing clarity, depth and efficiency.

The creative flow behind this pathway of innovation is now so strong that I am sure the momentum will continue successfully.

Sending very good wishes to you Steve.

Sincerely,

A Grateful Graphic Designer
~Michèle Carbery

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2011/08/24Steve-Jobs-Resigns-as-CEO-of-Apple.html