Happy 40th Birthday, Mac!

On January 24, 2024, the Apple Macintosh celebrated its 40th anniversary. Introduced by Steve Jobs in 1984, it was the first widely available computer featuring a graphical user interface (GUI)

I was born to “Think Different”

With both of my parents being architects, I grew up surrounded by art, craft, and design tools—none of which were ever off-limits to me. This environment naturally shaped me as an artist. However, when I first encountered computers, I approached them with skepticism. Emerging technologies were rapidly transforming the entire artistic process—from conception to production and distribution—and I initially struggled to reconcile this shift with the organic nature of traditional craft.

​In the early 1990s, graphic design was undergoing a significant transformation, transitioning from traditional fine arts to incorporating digital technologies. During this period, Apple actively promoted its computers’ graphic capabilities by launching a massive distribution initiative for educational purposes. I was fortunate to be at a university that embraced this shift early, teaching design on Macs first, which gave me a strong foundation in digital tools from the start.

While studying Graphic Design at university during this pivotal era, I embarked on a final project for my multimedia class that became a turning point in my creative journey. Immersing myself in the digital realm, I discovered an unexpected excitement for this new virtual space and recognized its potential to enhance artistic methodologies and techniques. As I learned the software and adapted to the hardware, a pivotal realization struck me after creating my first interactive button:

“I want to do this for a living.”

This epiphany led me to create webpages, DVDs, and CD-ROMs, evolving into an eclectic designer, illustrator, and developer. Long before the internet became what it is today, I envisioned collaborating with people worldwide, leveraging its power to connect and create.

Since my early days as a design student, I have been drawn to Apple products. Over the years, I’ve remained a dedicated user, seamlessly integrating them into both my work and personal life while developing a deep understanding of Apple’s operating system and its capabilities. Now, as a postgraduate teacher, I showcase Apple as a model of innovative design in my UX/UI classes, covering user interfaces, design systems, and prototyping with Figma. Specializing in these areas, I remain passionate about crafting impactful, user-centered designs. Growing alongside Apple, ‘thinking different’ has become the lens through which I approach the world.