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Macintosh SE/30 (1989)
This was my first compact personal computer, and it’s a long way from the 27-inch iMac on my desk now. It took me from pen and paper into the digital age. Photo: Shrine Of Apple -
iMac G3 (1998)
Everyone remembers the arrival of the colourful egg-shaped iMacs. Having lived half my life in Bondi, of course mine was Bondi Blue. It continued to live in my garage for many years. As a design icon, it was hard to part with. Photo: Supplied -
Apple iCandy and Yum advertising (1999)
Apple revolutionised branding and advertising. They made technology sexy. Photo: Supplied -
When the Powerbook became an iBook (1999)
When the Apple Powerbooks (laptops) became iBooks, the office went from grey to orange. I loved the sinuous design and the candy colours. Photo: Supplied -
Apple Macintosh G4 Cube (2000)
In a former life, I helped set up the Space Furniture retail network for the original owner. Showroom staff had blue iMacs or orange iBooks, while admin and accounts were powered by these sexy silver cubes. Photo: Supplied -
iMac G5 (2004)
Where’s the computer? It’s in the screen. I remember thinking a 20-inch white iMac G5 was the only must-have desktop accessory; a combined screen & processor on an elegant stand. Photo: Shrine Of Apple -
Current iMac 27 inch (2014)
...that was until the slim, silver 27 inch iMac hit the market. It was instant tech envy. Cue immediate upgrade. Exit stage left cords and connections – hello Bluetooth. I love the sleek and slim design and the crystal-clear Retina 5K display. Photo: Supplied -
13-inch MacBook Air (original 2008)
It’s hard to believe we once needed a CD drive. The MacBook Air became so thin and light that mine travels with me everywhere. It’s slim and sleek and I wouldn’t be without it. Photo: Supplied -
The original iPod (2001)
The iPod was more revolutionary than the Walkman. It literally put music in your pocket. Photo: Supplied -
Original iPhone (2007)
Steve Jobs pretty much game changed the mobile phone industry in one swift move with touch screen iPhones. As a design journalist, I use the camera and video capabilities professionally. Photo: Supplied -
Apple TV (2007)
Apple TV pioneered a new way of streaming content. Recently I gave a talk and I created my presentation on my iPhone that synced to the projection system via Apple TV. Not bad for a self-confessed Luddite. Photo: Supplied -
Apple Watch (2015)
This signals Jony Ive in the driver seat. Who said a watch must have a round face? My pick? Stainless steel with a dark grey nylon band. Photo: Supplied -
Apple’s tagline: Think Different (1997)
One of the most recognisable logos and taglines ever created. Every copywriter wishes they penned it. Photo: Supplied -
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Apple has always been at the forefront of great design, in fact you could say it's part of the company's DNA, with award-winning industrial designers such as Jony Ive and Australia's Marc Newson behind some of the company's most recognisable products.
So, it's not surprising that Apple would create a book about the development of its products that is a fabulous work of design in itself. "Designed by Apple" in California was released in Australia this week and covers products from the 1998 iMac through to 2015s Apple Pencil. The book is dedicated to the memory of Steve Jobs.
The linen-bound hardcover coffee table book is sure to be on the Christmas wish lists of Apple disciples across the globe. It is printed on specially milled, custom-dyed paper with gilded matte silver edges, using eight colour separations and low-ghost ink. It was developed over an eight-year period and published by Apple.
And it's damn gorgeous to look at.
A tech retrospective
The book covers two decades of Apple design, expressed through 450 photographs shot in a minimalist style by Andrew Zuckerman. The materials and techniques used by the famous Apple design team are also documented, making it a must for anyone interested in aesthetics and innovation.
"The idea of genuinely trying to make something great for humanity was Steve's motivation from the beginning, and it remains both our ideal and our goal as Apple looks to the future," said Jony Ive, Apple's chief design officer. "This archive is intended to be a gentle gathering of many of the products the team has designed over the years. We hope it brings some understanding to how and why they exist, while serving as a resource for students of all design disciplines."
Ive, now the world's most influential designer, joined Apple in 1996, at a time when he still had a full head of hair. One of his first successful designs was the original Bondi Blue iMac G3, released in 1998. Having grown up in a world of boring beige computers that looked like boxes, people had never seen anything like it before.
A timeline of minimalism
The following year the iMac was available in a number of 'flavoured' translucent cases, including lime, grape and tangerine. An apocryphal story suggests that to research the iMac's colours, Ive spent some time in a jelly bean factory.
The past 20 years has seen Ive and his team revolutionise the world as we know it, from music and television, to watches, phones, and tablets. His attention to detail, form, and materials is legendary in the industry and he has been known to spend months on minor details. In 2012, he and his team in Cupertino, California, were named the Best Design Studio of the past 50 years.
Independent curator, writer and design consultant Anne-Maree Sargeant discovered Macintosh way back in 1987, at her first job as an interior designer in London. Sargeant, who helms the re-launched Authentic Design Alliance, says she never leaves the house without an iPad mini and iPhone. "With these two devices and a passport and credit card I can run my business from anywhere in the world."
And when it comes to Apple's design language, Sargeant is smitten. "Everything from the packaging to the advertising, is 'designed', she says. "Apple embodies design; that being the intersection of form and function that actually innovates."
Click through the gallery above to see Anne-Maree Sargeant's 13 favourite Apple designs.
Designed by Apple in California is available in two sizes: small (260 x 324 mm) for $289; and large (330 x 413mm) for $429. Both from Apple.com.