Part 14: Susan Kare

Widely known for her iconic interface graphics, Susan Kare is an artist and graphic designer. Perhaps her mostly readily documented works are those for Apple Computers Inc in the 1980s. Below are some examples.

As a multimedia student I find this work to be of particular interest due to its success, and the reasons for such accreditation. For instance such works must have certain traits for them to be of any use. In this instance, Kare is restricted by technological capabilities, such as efficient use of memory. For example these icons would be of no use to Apple if an excessive amount of memory is needed for them to function. Despite such limitations Kare has achieved designs so effective as to be readily recognisable and user friendly that no formal training is needed for their understanding. As well as managing to keep the designs sufficiently simple in order to comply with the capabilities of the hardware.

What is more is that the concept of such works are still in use 20 years on, with primarily only alterations to the quality of their appearance - this is in line with advancements in the capabilities of the hardware they are intended for.