Passing of a legend

Steve Jobs has died: A tech revolutionary

Steve Jobs
Photo via International Business Times
The front page of the Apple.com website

Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple has died. He was 56 years old.

The Apple website announced his death with this statement, "Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple."

Less than two months ago the enigmatic and iconic founder of Apple Inc. resigned as the company’s chief executive officer, being replaced by COO Tim Cook.

"We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today," said Apple in a release. "Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve. His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts."

"The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come. For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it’s been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely." —Bill Gates

Jobs ushered in the era of the personal computer founding Apple in 1976. After leaving the company due to disagreements with the Board, he returned as CEO in 1997, and served as the guiding force behind the tech giant’s rise to success with the most popular tech gadgets—iPhone, iPod and iPad—and a revolutionary computer operating system. It’s now hard to imagine a world without these things. we have Steve Jobs to thank for them.

But his influence would extend even beyond computers to revolutionizing the worlds of music and movies.

Jeffrey Katzenberg, chairman and CEO of DreamWorks, calls Jobs as "the Thomas Edison of our time. And in the way that Edison affected so many businesses, so did Steve Jobs."

Jobs fought a long battle against pancreatic cancer, but even during treatment, he would still get on stage to present Apple's next big thing. In June of this year he introduced iCloud and the new MacOS called Lion. Yesterday Apple launched the new iPhone 4S. It was the first time Jobs was not on stage for a major announcement.

Jobs' story is in many ways an all-American success tale. He dropped out of college, but ended up being regarded as "The Father of the Computer Revolution" by age 29.

Soon the tributes would come rolling in at the speed of the technology Jobs helped create.

"I’m truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs’ death," Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said in a statement. "Melinda and I extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to everyone Steve has touched through his work. Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago, and have been colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives. The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come. For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it’s been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely."

Jobs owned a larger-than-life personality and a lot of black turtleneck sweaters, his iconic dress with a pair of jeans. Apple might be known for shiny products, but the black turtleneck was just as emblematic.

Apple invites you to share your thoughts, memories, and condolences by sending an email to rememberingsteve@apple.com.

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SKIN IN THE GAME

Renowned Hill Country tattoo artist inks new sacred geometry app

Photo courtesy of Dillon Forte

Dillion Forte at his "tattoo ranch" in the Texas Hill Country.

In the world of tattooing, there may seem to be few better rat traps left to build, but Dillon Forte aims to change that. In October, the renowned Wimberley-based tattoo artist and entrepreneur introduced a new iPadOS app to bring ancient symbology into the digital age.

Forte has made a worldwide name for his black dot work (a contemporary take on stick-and-poke techniques) and ambitious undertakings like tattooing underwater and opening a “tattoo ranch.” His ink appears on Usher, Chris Hemsworth, and Kehlani.

Still, he is most recognized for his sacred geometry designs, using patterns to convey various meanings. His interest led him to create the Sacred Geometry Drawing App, a convenient way for novices and experts to develop and export their creations.

The app grew out of his own practice. Over the past decade, he has used tablets and freehand techniques to achieve his highly symmetrical artwork but grew to realize existing tools were not always easy to use.

“The app is an attempt and fulfillment of my desire to make sacred geometry accessible and bring the ability to create into the fingertips of as many people as possible,” Forte tells CultureMap via email, adding a tagline: “symmetry made simply.”

He says he wished the app was available when developing his signature style as a tattoo artist, but it was designed with a broad range of users in mind. He hopes that designers, educators, and artists will find a use for it.

A short intro to the app's capabilities is available on YouTube. It looks like a standard drawing app, starting with a blank canvas and some tools like pens, pencils, colors, and of course, straight line and dot makers.

A "symmetry index" anchors the functionality and expands it to something between 2D art and 3D modeling. In addition to generating shapes like repeating patterns and spirals, the app also creates 3D shapes with grids, so that the artist can map their design in real space or even create sculptures. There is also an index for explaining the spiritual meaning of some standard designs.

“Geometry often prompts an intimidating feeling when it comes to making art,” Forte continues. “The fundamentally complex and often academic nature of math-based art can induce a sense of fear in the potential user instead of creating a sense of awe. The purpose of the sacred geometry app is to cultivate the latter."

Creatives interested in constructing their own geometric masterpieces can download the app at the App Store for free, and in-app purchases are available.

technology apps tattoos arts