To say that Steve Jobs was passionate about design is an understatement. He was fanatical about it. A committed minimalist, he went to great lengths to hide the bells and whistles of engineering systems behind a sleek simple interface that went beyond aesthetics and into the realm of reality design.
Jobs not only applied his acute sense of design to computer hardware and software, but also movies, advertising, medical devices, packaging, and even architecture. He was instrumental in giving the Apple stores that Zen-like feel, insisting, for example, on the floating stairs concept (Isaacson, 2011). In his biography of Steve Jobs, Isaacson (2011) also describes how Jobs would quit vacations because he got bored of the boat’s designs, bad design would "trigger" him, and in the last days of his life, he devoted himself to designing his own luxury yacht.
Jobs threw himself to the task of designing a boat the same way he designed his products. Radical minimalism. He used the concept of glass walls that were used in the design of the Apple campus. The radar and satellite equipment that usually sits atop vessels were enclosed in a box, hiding them from view and giving the boat a clean streamlined look. Wires and equipment had to be hidden from view, giving the yacht an uncluttered look. Even the electrical outlets were hidden. Sadly, he did not live long enough to see the project completed, but this yacht now stands as a testament to one of the most incredible product designers of our era.
BC Ferry
Public transportation is not synonymous with luxury, but I have to admit that I enjoy using the BC ferries to hop over to the island communities along the coast. The fleet number is 47, according to Wikipedia, and they service 47 locations.
What I enjoy about the ferries is their design, which makes for a seamless and even fun little adventure. It has food amenities, clean bathrooms (always important), arcade, cafes, viewing areas, sun-tanning areas called the decks, working zones with electrical outlets, wi-fi on terminals (canceled in ferries because of poor functioning), broad walkways that allow enough space to navigate without feeling like you’re embarking in search of Moby Dick. If you’re lucky, you will indeed get to see some whales or dolphins. The orcas pass through this region in their migratory routes.
With all this experience design stuff in my mind, I decided to take a few pictures of the ferry to try and capture how its design shapes the experience. I was itching to photograph every inch of it, but I didn’t want to appear like I was on a spy mission or something, so I restrained myself (a little).
It was a cold blustery rainy day as a storm blew off the Pacific southwest. So, being on the decks was not as fun as it is on a calm summer day when you can soak up the rays and maybe even listen to a hippy girl serenade you with her guitar, but I digress.
The ferry approaches the islands and as it glides along the ocean, you can see the houses and other buildings along the rugged shores. What a life! It likely comes with a price tag to match.
The rain lashed across my face. The wind whipped my jacket. I could see multiple islands moving in relation to each other in motion parallax. I paced up and down the deck, across the decks, looped around and about trying to find the interesting shots. Aside from a few other hardy souls, the decks were relatively empty as most people made themselves comfortable inside with a warm meal or drink. Anywhere you sit, you can get a good view on this vessel, as nearly every seat has a broad view of the ocean, the sky, and the islands.
One particular thing that I like paying attention to are the info-graphics designed for the public. As the province is popular with tourists, visitors come from the world over. That means that the design has to come across to as many cultures as possible. The designer has to have knowledge of navigation, colour theory, perception, human factors, and so forth. I appreciate that the ferry appears to have done a great job in this regard. The signs are straightforward and minimal. I never feel confused when traveling from one end to the other, but then again, I’m a local.
Are there any downside to the ferries? During and after the pandemic problems have arisen because of staff shortages and measures implemented. So there's plenty to gripe about. The food onboard could be better. WhiteSpot was the main attraction because the buffet area was closed.
Another negative aspect of the ferry system is that if you stand on the deck and say the words ‘Fast Ferry’ three times, you will hear the sound of tax-payer money being sucked into the ocean.
The ferries are a great way to experience the islands. I think that their design has a vague Jobs-like feel to the it. They are uncluttered, seamless, spacious, clean, and minimalist. They have many viewing spacious and comfortable lounging areas along with food and beverages that make the voyage a pleasant adventure, as life should be. While alcohol in designated areas is allowed, there is no smoking permitted anywhere on board, that includes vaporizers and herbs, so if you really need to enhance your experience, then make sure you do it before you arrive, or eat some gummy bears.
Images by @litguru
These are some cool shots!
Thanks! I was fighting the elements in this photo shoot, so it was great fun.
Your post has helped me understand the yacht well and your experiences here are valuable. I really like the feeling of being on a yacht and watching the sea @litguru
Thank you @minhtrang. I had a wonderful time sailing. :)