In Memory of Steve Jobs: Preserving Democratic Design

Putting design front and center

Steve Jobs inspired all of us. He gave us permission to believe in a futuristic future, one that lived up to its promise and potential. Whether in the form of laptops that took HAL seriously, or changing how we think of phones – from a one purpose device, to a tool for humanity , for entertainment , for social interaction .

And through it all, what he’s most known for is putting design front and center. When you power up a Mac, or when you unlock an iPhone, you feel the magic. He recognized that that feeling, the emotional and physical engagement with something beautiful & intuitive matters .

Steve Jobs showed us the importance of good design & made it accessible to everyone.

We are furthering that purpose by teaching nonprofits the value of good design and reducing the barriers to access. Every time we help build a new logo or a new website, we are providing a new, better front door to their services.

Breaking down accessibility barriers

Still think that doesn’t have a tremendous impact, that design, after all, is only about looks? Look & feel matters, as Thomas Kever, Executive Director for the Hetrick-Martin Institute told Rob Acton, Taproot’s New York Executive Director. When Rob mentioned he missed seeing lives changed and transformed on a daily basis, Thomas replied:

Next time you have that ridiculous thought, call me! I’ll tell you about Dierdre, a 15 year old teenage girl from Indiana who was kicked out of her home after coming out as a lesbian. She boarded a bus to New York & found us only because she went online and came across our website. Without the website that Taproot built for kids like her, there’s a good chance that her life would have gone in a very bad direction.

It’s easy to forget that what catches the eye and speaks to us is what draws us in and connects us. It isn’t just ‘nice’ – it’s what makes the difference between struggling to gain access and feeling warmly welcomed. It’s about encountering magic, and wonder, and knowing you’ve found a place you can call home.

Steve Jobs continues to allow us an inspiring glimpse of our human potential through our daily interaction with his products and philosophy. He will continue to be a tremendous influence in our lives. And we, in turn, need to continue his legacy of democratizing design and making the cutting edge available to those for whom it matters most.

Discover how Taproot has made pro bono more accessible through the design of our free, online marketplace Taproot+.