This week, we had our first media assignment for the course. Students were required to read an article and listen to a podcast from 99% Invisible about Susan Kare, one of the most influential graphic designers from the Apple Macintosh generation. I particularly loved the photo of Susan Kare sitting on a desk chair, with her 80s curly hair, jeans, and sweatshirt, and the old computers in the background. It really captures the essence of graphic designers even today! Susan Kare is an American graphic designer known for creating some of the earliest computer graphics and icons. Her designs were instrumental in developing the graphic user interface, making early computers more accessible and engaging for non-tech users.

Some of Susan Kare's more recognizable designs include the smiling start-up icon and the bomb icon, which was an engaging way to notify the user of a system error. These icons gave more personality to the computer, making the user experience more engaging rather than just having users engage with words or code. These iconic graphics ultimately allowed Apple computers to stand apart from other computers on the market at the time, including the text-based PCs. Despite these icons making the computer experience more impactful and engaging, not many users knew at the time that Kare was responsible for the creation of these graphics​

The new form of digital pixel art laid the foundation for several modern digital tools still in use today, including the command symbol, lasso tool, and paint bucket. It's mind-blowing to think that Susan Kare was responsible for creating tools that are still used in my work today. It's fascinating to imagine whether we would still have these tools if it weren't for her genius. In addition to digital tools, Kare also created two fonts: Chicago and Gothic. These fonts were incorporated into the original Mac operating systems, which is a fascinating fact. Kare's work extends beyond Apple, reaching companies like IBM and Microsoft. She was responsible for creating the notepad and control panel icons that have since evolved, but still trace back to her work. According to the article, she also contributed to the icons of Facebook and Pinterest, which have evolved but can be traced back to her designs. It's incredible to think that she was responsible for the initial look of these two applications, as I use Pinterest so often for design inspiration.

In the early 1980s, a friend encouraged Susan Kare to apply for a position at Apple. She started her work by sketching pixelated designs in a gridded notebook. Her designs were limited to 16x16 and 32x32 pixel grids, similar to mosaics and needlepoint. Steve Jobs recognized the need for more user-friendly computer interfaces, and Susan Kare's pixel designs played a crucial role in making personal computing more accessible to non-technical individuals. Her designs not only appealed to non-technical users but also caught the attention of artists, musicians, and marketers.

It's important to recognize how minimalist design and Susan Kare's work are closely connected. Pixel design had its limitations at the time, but Kare used this to her advantage by creating a purposeful, simplified minimalist approach. This minimal style of design sparked a movement in visual communications, often seen on platforms like Pinterest, gifs, and emojis. Understanding Kare's impact involves discussing her recognition and legacy in the graphic design industry. Her work has been showcased in museums like the Museum of Modern Art in NYC (MOMA) and has received awards from the AIGA. Her work is also available for purchase on her website for those interested in the early Mac era of design.

The main takeaway from this media assignment is that Susan Kare laid the foundation of pixel art and ultimately changed the way we think of graphic user interfaces. Her pixel art laid the foundation for many digital media tools we still continue to use today in modern digital communications. Her work ultimately changed the way average users approached the Apple computer back in the 80s, which has contributed to the success of the Macintosh. Kare's story must continue to be told in digital and communicative spaces because the computer would not be what it is today without her work and contribution to the field.

Here is a link to the Susan Kare MOMA Exhibit: https://www.moma.org/artists/38483

2018 AIGA Medalist: Susan Kare: https://www.aiga.org/inspiration/talks/susan-kare-2018-aiga-medalist-susan-kare