Thank you for everything Steve. RIP 1955-2011

It’s unfortunate that someone’s passing often makes you think how much effect they have had your life. I really don’t think Ampal, let alone my dream of pursuing my passions for a living would be possible without Steve Jobs.

No words can really describe the impact his products had on my life and I’m sure its a sentiment shared by many in our creative community. I would like to share a few of the ways they effected me along my journey.

My first memory of Mr. Jobs in my life is playing a b/w tank game on my dad’s Mac Plus at a really young age. Kid Pix circa 1990 on our Mac IIfx was probably the first time I really embraced a computer for creating.

Throughout elementary and middle school our progression of macs, played an integral part of my education and artistic life. In middle school I finally got my “own” mac and a little later on the availability of such programs as photoshop, illustrator, imovie and premier allowed me to develop creatively and to embrace the DIY attitude. The beauty of what Steve created was is accessibility and ease of use. With a little bit of guidance I was able to learn these programs on my own.

In highschool I made my first graphics that were actually made into t shirts on the Mac. Another big milestone was the advent of cd burners and napster giving me the freedom to really explore music. The idea of saving up $11.99 – $15.99 to go buy a CD you had only heard 2 songs on was a not that cool as a grom. I played around with logo design creating multiple identities for the local punk label that a best friend and I started and disbanded before we threw our combined $2400 of savings into studio time.

*not my computer

The G4 tower I got freshman year survived the next 5 years. During this period I really embraced my Mac as a tool. I started picking up little projects from people - flyer’s, tee’s, quick video edits. While I studied, I learned how to use the computer to both create an identity for and manage a business.

After I college I worked at an Apple store to support myself while I was starting Ampal. I don’t think I need to explain the countless way’s I use my Mac’s today, but there would be no Ampal and I would not be where I am at without the amazing creations of a visionary college drop out.

Thanks Steve for thinking outside the box and giving the world the power and opportunity to create with your tools.

Thanks for everything.

*I also need to thank both my parents for giving me the opportunity to create with my hands through endless art and craft projects that balanced with all the above.