Kodak received a massive boost in sales following the release of the Vanity Kodak in 1928. Fast forward 76 years and Apple did similar with the release of the iPod Mini. Jonathan Ives deep understanding of the history of design is one of Apples greatest strengths.
An obsession with the new and original, without a deep literacy and appreciation for the past, leads to a path of missed opportunities.
— Bill Buxton, What Apple learned from Kodak.
Bill Buxtons columns (full list available on his website) are packed full of wisdom, insight, and experience, a must read for designers.
3 Comments
But, we also read, “one can only really learn by doing, by making mistakes, and not by following someone else’s abridged instructions.”
(Perhaps Jonathan Ives is older than we think?
)
I assume success comes through a subtle mix of learning both from others’ experiences - as well as from one’s own endeavors.
Posted by James Pearce at 6:56 am on 5 August, 2009.
Oh, and I didn’t just post that comment ‘yesterday, mid-afternoon’!
Posted by James Pearce at 6:57 am on 5 August, 2009.
Hey James,
Thanks for your comment yesterday
I think it’s the “abridged” part vs the “deep literacy and appreciation” that both these posts address.
My personal issue with the quick hit lists, is that they provide knowledge, independent of comprehension, application, analysis, or any of the other far more important ways in which something can be understood.
Knowledge is the most basic form of understanding. Simply knowing a fact, for recitation purposes. Yet I believe thats focus on this. “Here is how you make a rounded corner”, as opposed to what effect a rounded corner has, what emotions does it convey, what impression does it give, to what extent should corners be rounded etc.
I don’t think you can’t fully understand something by reading about it, independent of experience, or application. This, to me, doesn’t mean “Screw history , lets just go for it”, far from it. Let’s use history to inform what we learn and experience.
So yeah, a subtle mix of both basically
Des
Posted by Des Traynor at 10:57 am on 5 August, 2009.