Ken Kocienda, who spent over fifteen years at Apple as a designer of software for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, offers an insider’s view of Apple’s design process during the golden age of Steve Jobs. In “Creative Selection,” he takes readers on a journey from his early days at Atari to his experiences in user research and interface design at Next Computer and finally to Apple. Along the way, Kocienda candidly describes how he helped craft industry-leading designs for iOS 7 and 8 such as Slide Over and Split View multitasking; the QuickType keyboard; pressure-sensitive drawing in Notes ; Panorama and PhotosWide aspect ratios ; typographyand more. He also sketches out anecdotes about encounters with other luminaries like Jony Ive , Tim Cook , Jonathan Ive , Scott Forstall , Bertrand Serlet . Kocienda not only provides insights into how great products are made but also tells the human story behind them – what it was like to work on ideas that changed technology history alongside some of today’s brightest minds.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for Apple fans, computer enthusiasts, and design lovers.
Pros :
- This book provides insights into how great products are made
- The human story behind them is interesting to read
- Provides an insider’s view of Apple’s design process
Cons :
- Kocienda does not delve deep enough into the design process of certain products.
- He doesn’t go into detail about some of Apple’s failures during this time period.
- The book is a little dry at times and could have used more anecdotes to keep readers engaged.
Learn more about the author
Ken Kocienda is a designer of software for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch who spent over 15 years at Apple. He has written about his experiences in user research and interface design on the Next Computer blog and in the book Creativity, Inc.
Reader Reviews
“Ken is one of the most broadly talented and experienced creators on our team, so it was natural that he be the one to write this book”
“If you are at all interested in interface design, the creative process or Apple then this is a book you need to read. Ken Kocienda takes us on an intimate journey from his early days working at Atari, through his time spent designing software for iOS 7 and 8 under Jonathan Ive and Tim Cook. He candidly discusses how he helped craft some of Apples most iconic features and provides rare insights into what it’s like to work on ideas that changed technology history alongside Jony Ive, Scott Forstall and Bertrand Serlet.”
“Design nerds rejoice! Former Apple designer Ken Kocienda has penned a tell-all insider’s view of the design process at the company during its ‘golden age.'”
“Ken Kocienda offers a rare and detailed look inside Apple’s design process during the golden age of Steve Jobs. From his early days at Atari to working on iOS7 and 8, Kocienda provides insights into how great products are made. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in product development.”
