tsuko

Goodbye Steve Jobs

Posted on Thursday, October 06, 2011 By Susanna Freedman

As I woke to my alarm clock this morning, I read a text that arrived through the night from another time zone, and then pressed snooze.

The sound of an email landing in my inbox woke me. I reviewed all three email accounts, and pressed snooze again.

Next time I woke, I checked my diary in order to plan today's outfit, thought about it, pressed snooze again.

When I received a reminder about an early meeting, I disarmed my alarm and rolled out of bed, wishing my iPhone could extend its duties to a sprinkling of magic dust to instantly make me ready for the day ahead. But alas, there is not yet an App for that.

As I switched on my radio the first thing I heard was a BBC presenter quoting President Obama,'…that with his death, the world has lost a visionary'. I knew immediately that Steve Jobs was dead.

The ultimate trail-blazing pioneer and king of design is dead, at only 56 years old.

It is a sad day when one of the world's greatest innovators passes. Apple has been a part of my life since high school - I attended a rather forward-thinking comprehensive school that filled its computer labs exclusively with original Apple Macintosh personal computers. Remember its beige case that enclosed the 23cm black and white monitor and a little indentation in the top for carrying or lifting it? Eight years ago I came across one at an auction and bought it to keep as a relic.

When I started my first work experience post, Macs were just gaining traction as the tool of designers and finished artworkers in graphic design firms. A few years later, on my 21st birthday, I was gifted the Power Macintosh G3 by my parents. The most significant evolution for the Mac processor was also the most significant birthday present of my life.

That G3 started my business, and firmly cemented my passion for Apple. I have never looked back. I feel absolute loyalty beyond reason for Apple - for its contribution to my business, for the creativity it inspires in our work and the joyful technology that helps us do our work everyday, for the immense collection of beautifully designed products that we interact with, for the life-changing brand journey that all who fall under the Apple spell enjoy, and for innovation that continues to push the boundaries of design and technology. He challenged us to 'Think Different'. For all that, we are truly thankful to Steve Jobs.

I've heard it said that three Apples changed the World. The first seduced Adam and Eve, the second fell on the head of Sir Isaac Newton and the third was offered to the World in the form of a half bitten one by Steve Jobs.

It is rare that we enjoy such an incredible contribution and hugely positive impact from one man's vision. He was brilliant.

It is sadly ironic that regardless of the billions of dollars that Apple has generated, and most inventive, life-changing innovations that Steve Jobs gave to the world, nothing could cure his pancreatic cancer.

15 years ago, our mornings were panicked and rushed, as we fled to the office to see what delights or disasters awaited us. Now we can operate a business from bed (only by avoiding FaceTime, of course!).

He has changed the way we listen to music, work and live our lives. Forever he we will be with us, reminding the world how it could be done different, and in my opinion better.