How did graphic design change in 1984?
Before the 1984 version of the Apple Macintosh 128k computer, graphic designers were generally not known to be interested in computers or software. They carried out their work on drafting boards, using pens, pencils, x-acto knives, paper, glue, and illustration board.
When this computer became available, the visually creative person saw the affordances that were available in its features. They figured out ways to use the tasks the computer allowed the user to perform to do the tasks they had been doing through traditional means. People who did the type of work that continually involved the hand, eye and mind found a tool that helped them do it faster and better.
According to Donald Norman, who wrote The Psychology of Everyday Things, the affordance is the design aspect of an object which suggests how the object should be used...
This website explores the features and software of the Apple Macintosh 128K through the perspective of the graphic design field. I hope to be able to point out how designers were able to make the transition from hand-crafted layouts and mechanicals to digital design, as a result of the abilities and design of this computer.
See a video of Steve Jobs "Introduce the Macintosh in person"
The print advertisement above for the Apple Macintosh points out that it is the computer that will give people the ability to do what they want. The following is contained in the copy of this ad:
"...in Cupertino California, some particularly bright engineers had a particularly bright idea: since computers are so smart, wouldn't it make sense to teach computers about people, instead of teaching people about computers?" ..... "how they make mistakes and change their minds. How they refer to file folders and save old phone numbers. How they labor for their livelihoods and doodle in their spare time."