The iPad officially went on sale this week. Media coverage has been non-stop and intense with local, national, and international outlets all joining in. Time magazine has Steve Jobs on the cover this week. In an article in Time, Jobs talks about Apple “at the intersection of the Liberal Arts and Technology.”
This is an interesting way to look at the “things” engineering and engineers design and build. Our “things” - - from iPad, to bridge, to elevator, to automobile – always intersect two worlds. One is the world of technology - - formulas, constraints, tradeoffs, performance, material, and innovation. The other is the world of liberal arts - - people, communication, psychology, history, and economics. Read the following from Time regarding Apple and “The Intersection” - -
Most important, Apple’s engineers know something those other companies don’t: form has trumped function. You can load up a tablet with horsepower and extra features till it can do your taxes and lick the stamp, but if it’s not instantly obvious how to use without a manual - - and if you don’t look good using them - - nobody cares.
Apple clearly demonstrates the power of those individuals and companies that have the ability and mindset to manage, master, and excel at “The Intersection.” Apple doesn’t just design and build “things” - - they create an environment of immersive experiences. The iPhone may be a functional tool - - but it is a tool that makes us smile. Engineering needs to focus more attention and energy on “The Intersection” - - in particular the smile and wonderment parts. The future may be more about what happens at the intersection of technology, liberal arts, and commerce - - where engineers need to stand comfortably in front of two street signs. One reading “Technology” and the other reading “Liberal Arts.”
This is an interesting way to look at the “things” engineering and engineers design and build. Our “things” - - from iPad, to bridge, to elevator, to automobile – always intersect two worlds. One is the world of technology - - formulas, constraints, tradeoffs, performance, material, and innovation. The other is the world of liberal arts - - people, communication, psychology, history, and economics. Read the following from Time regarding Apple and “The Intersection” - -
Most important, Apple’s engineers know something those other companies don’t: form has trumped function. You can load up a tablet with horsepower and extra features till it can do your taxes and lick the stamp, but if it’s not instantly obvious how to use without a manual - - and if you don’t look good using them - - nobody cares.
Apple clearly demonstrates the power of those individuals and companies that have the ability and mindset to manage, master, and excel at “The Intersection.” Apple doesn’t just design and build “things” - - they create an environment of immersive experiences. The iPhone may be a functional tool - - but it is a tool that makes us smile. Engineering needs to focus more attention and energy on “The Intersection” - - in particular the smile and wonderment parts. The future may be more about what happens at the intersection of technology, liberal arts, and commerce - - where engineers need to stand comfortably in front of two street signs. One reading “Technology” and the other reading “Liberal Arts.”
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.