Information Technology Reference
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because it may get in the way of the serious work to be done.
10
But the fact
of the matter is that graphic design is an indispensable part of the represen-
tation itself, as amply demonstrated by the Macintosh and other contempo-
rary computing environments.
Seriously Minimalist
Although rounded rectangles are older than the iPad, we look to Sir Johnathan Ive as the master
minimalist industrial designer who has given Apple its shape, so to speak. The sleek beauty of the
curves, textures, and colors of Apple devices are minimalism at its best. They are neither serious
nor playful in their naked state; they whisper of magic and futurism.
And yet, what do people do with them? They cover their MacBooks with decals—a sedate
dancing bear or a full-sized Virgin of Guadalupe. They dress their iPhones in little outfi ts, from
Hard Candy to Hello Kitty to industrial strength protectors that look like recycled automobile tires.
What does this mean about seriousness in relation to computational devices?
Frankly, those serious dudes who want to send the “no fun EVER” message are probably tot-
ing VAIOs and running Windows. Really, have you ever seen a VAIO with a Ché Guevara decal?
Bob Marley? Hello Kitty? No, you have not.
Apple people, on the other hand, smother Ive's minimalism in personalization and unique-
ness. Let's face it—they are playful and artsy. Or at least that's the persona they and their com-
puters and phones are wearing. But Apple people still do serious stuff with their dressed-up
hardware—3D modeling, for example, and sophisticated audio and video editing software. And
just about everybody, regardless of the box, uses things like spreadsheets and tax calculators.
Oh, Sir Ive, it appears that minimalism in
industrial design does not necessarily imply
either seriousness or playfulness. You knew
that. But were you expecting everybody to ruin
your design with personalization? I have one
iPad with a cushy cover and one Mac Book
with a tasteful Hawaii decal.
Two Mao jackets—one to wear and one
to send to the laundry.
10. The same argument was used a few decades ago to ban bright colors, potted plants, and
chatchkas from the workplace; but that's another story.
