Warde, Beatrice. The Crystal Goblet, or Why Printing Should Be InvisiblePrinceton Architectural Press, 2009. Pages 39-43., Kepes, György. Language of Vision: Painting, Photography, Advertising-Design, Paul Theobald, 1949. Pages 200-221
The design I chose is the Macintosh 128K Home Computer, it’s the original Macintosh personal computer released in 1984. Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple Computer, Inc., hired Hartmut Esslinger to design a visual code that would produce a range of design variations. Their goal was to make technology accessible. The computer is beige with a 9-inch monitor and came with a keyboard and mouse. It was built with a handle at the top of the case to be easily transported. The release of this computer was a historic moment not only for Silicon Valley but for computer and design history.
Steve Jobs grew up around Bauhaus principles, however, Apple’s earliest computers didn’t reflect the Bauhaus style. It wasn’t until 1981 that Steve Jobs attended a design conference at the Aspen Institute where he realized he needed to make his products more aesthetically pleasing. He was inspired by the look of the Aspen Insitute, where the campus, furniture, and even typography were designed by the Bauhaus architect, Herbert Bayer. Macintosh made typography a readily available communication tool. Previously, only graphic designers and printers worked with fonts. But had always been central to Bauhaus designs. Jobs included a library of fonts in Macintosh allowing writers and designers to better express their work through typography.
Good response Mercedes! Interesting to hear that Jobs had not considered the design of the original console. He became so invested in the design of his products later in life.