Help

Brain Pickings takes 200+ hours a month to curate and edit. If you find any joy and value in it, we would really appreciate a modest donation.

Subscribe

  • Subscribe by RSS feed
  • Subscribe by email

Connect

  • Follow on Twitter
  • Stumble It
  • Add to del.icio.us
  • Become a Fan
  • TwitterCounter for @brainpicker
ted.com

05

Jan

2010

Uncovered Gem: Steve Jobs on Paul Rand

By Maria Popova

A brave assault on the paradox of choice, or why the best option is the only option.

This week’s uncovered gem is a 1993 interview of Steve Jobs, talking about what it was like to work with iconic designer Paul Rand, the mastermind behind the logo of Jobs’ second company, NeXT. And, like any genius, he seems to have equal parts brilliance and bravado, talent and tenacity.

I asked him if he would come up with a few options. And he said, ‘No, I will solve your problem for you, and you will pay me. And you don’t have to use the solution — if you want options, go talk to other people. But I’ll solve your problem for you the best way I know how, and you use it or not, that’s up to you — you’re the client — but you pay me.’

He’s a very deep, thoughtful person who’s tried to express in every part of his life what his principles are. And you don’t meet so many people like that today.

A wonderful companion read — a 1990 interview with Rand on what he calls “the play instinct”, echoed and evolved in a couple of our favorite TED talks, Tim Brown’s and Paula Scher’s.

Correction: Thanks to those who pointed out it was the NeXT logo in question, not the Apple one as we had originally written. We’re all for busting misconceptions and we’re never afraid to admit we’ve got something wrong, so thank you — here’s to learning something every day.

In 2009, we spent more than 240 hours a month bringing you Brain Pickings. That’s over 2,880 hours for the year, over which we could’ve seen 29 feature-length films, listened to 72 music albums or taken 960 bathroom visits. If you found any joy and inspiration here this year, please consider supporting us with a modest donation — it lets us know we’re doing something right.


Psst, we’ve launched a fancy weekly newsletter. It comes out on Sundays, offers the week’s articles, and features five more tasty bites of web-wide interestingness. Here’s an example. Like? Sign up.

You may also enjoy:

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 at 4:04 am in culture, design and was tagged , , , , .

71 Responses

  1. A brave assault on the paradox of choice, or why the best option is the only option:Paul Rand with Steve Jobs as client http://bit.ly/7GueUN

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    archizoo on January 5th, 2010 at 8:14 am

  2. Starting the day by listening to 1993 video interview of Steve Jobs discussing Paul Rand. Thanks @brainpicker. http://bit.ly/6bJyGp

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    tomburket on January 5th, 2010 at 8:28 am

  3. Steve Jobs on working with designer Paul Rand: http://bit.ly/4BZCjU #apple #logo

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    postello on January 5th, 2010 at 9:53 am

  4. Steve Jobs on working with Paul Rands, “the exterior of a curmudgeon … w/a heart of gold:” http://bit.ly/8BRuRQ

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    bobulate on January 5th, 2010 at 10:05 am

  5. “if you want options, go talk to other people … I’ll solve your problem for you the best way I know how” http://short.ie/rand via @bobulate

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    w8f on January 5th, 2010 at 10:13 am

  6. RT @bobulate: Steve Jobs on working with Paul Rands, “the exterior of a curmudgeon … w/a heart of gold:” http://bit.ly/8BRuRQ

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    janwaechter on January 5th, 2010 at 10:15 am

  7. Uncovered gem: Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand, a 1993 interview http://ow.ly/SWhI

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    brainpicker on January 5th, 2010 at 10:21 am

  8. RT @brainpicker: Uncovered gem: Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand, a 1993 interview http://ow.ly/SWhI

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    riptari on January 5th, 2010 at 10:25 am

  9. RT @brainpicker

    Uncovered gem: Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand, a 1993 interview http://ow.ly/SWhI

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    amalucky on January 5th, 2010 at 10:26 am

  10. Hadn’t see this one…great: Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand c.1993 http://ow.ly/SWhI (via @brainpicker)

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    EpicallyHarshed on January 5th, 2010 at 10:30 am

  11. RT @amalucky: RT @brainpicker

    Uncovered gem: Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand, a 1993 interview http://ow.ly/SWhI

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    apostolosl on January 5th, 2010 at 10:31 am

  12. a rare interview of Steve Jobs on working with Apple logo designer Paul Rand http://is.gd/5MQn0

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    bomeandean on January 5th, 2010 at 10:33 am

  13. RT @amalucky: RT @brainpicker Uncovered gem: Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand, a 1993 interview http://ow.ly/SWhI

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    kanella on January 5th, 2010 at 10:34 am

  14. “As much a business problem solver as an artist” Steve Jobs on designer Paul Rand, interviewed in 1993 – via @brainpicker: http://ow.ly/SWhI

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    BBHLabs on January 5th, 2010 at 10:44 am

  15. RT @bobulate: Steve Jobs on working with Paul Rands, “the exterior of a curmudgeon … w/a heart of gold:” http://bit.ly/8BRuRQ

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    core77 on January 5th, 2010 at 10:48 am

  16. Love the Quote on this … Steve Jobs on designer Paul Rand, interviewed in 1993 – via @brainpicker: http://bit.ly/8qk3rE

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    vincentstinks on January 5th, 2010 at 10:50 am

  17. RT @BBHLabs: Steve Jobs on designer Paul Rand, interviewed in 1993 – via @brainpicker: http://ow.ly/SWhI

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    seanlauer on January 5th, 2010 at 10:51 am

  18. RT @BBHLabs: Steve Jobs on designer Paul Rand, interviewed in 1993 – via @brainpicker: http://ow.ly/SWhI #yam

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    seanlauer on January 5th, 2010 at 10:52 am

  19. Steve Jobs on designer Paul Rand (1993) http://ow.ly/SWhI /via @brainpicker >> “…no I will solve your problem & you will pay me” – gold!

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    jodiemoule on January 5th, 2010 at 10:54 am

  20. RT @bobulate: Steve Jobs on working with Paul Rands, “the exterior of a curmudgeon … w/a heart of gold:” http://bit.ly/8BRuRQ

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    saraheartburn on January 5th, 2010 at 11:00 am

  21. RT @brainpicker: Uncovered gem: Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand, a 1993 interview http://ow.ly/SWhI

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    VincentEaton on January 5th, 2010 at 11:02 am

  22. RT @brainpicker: Uncovered gem: Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand, a 1993 interview http://ow.ly/SWhI

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    ricardodiaz11 on January 5th, 2010 at 11:03 am

  23. RT @bobulate Steve Jobs on working with Paul Rands, “the exterior of a curmudgeon … w/a heart of gold:” http://bit.ly/8BRuRQ

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    marcosmendes on January 5th, 2010 at 11:11 am

  24. RT @w8f “if you want options, go talk to other people… I’ll solve your problem for you the best way I know how” http://bit.ly/77ZO5q

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    philclandillon on January 5th, 2010 at 11:14 am

  25. Entrevista de 1993 de Steve Jobs falando de Paul Rand (que, criou o logo da Next, NÃO o da Apple) – http://bit.ly/8qk3rE

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    marioamaya on January 5th, 2010 at 11:28 am

  26. ‘The intertwining of a pure artist and a business problem solver’ Video: Steve Jobs on Paul Rand, 1993. via @brainpicker http://ow.ly/SWhI

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    danredding on January 5th, 2010 at 11:28 am

  27. RT @marioamaya: Entrevista de 1993 de Steve Jobs falando de Paul Rand (que, criou o logo da Next, NÃO o da Apple) – http://bit.ly/8qk3rE

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    designerzero on January 5th, 2010 at 11:30 am

  28. Please change the post’s original text about Paul Rand being the Apple logo designer. The misinformation is spreading quickly.
    The original designer of the current Apple Logo is Rob Janoff, a former art director at the Regis McKenna agency. More information here: http://www.cultofmac.com/rob-janoff-on-creating-the-apple-logo/9847

    Mario Amaya on January 5th, 2010 at 11:32 am

  29. blast from the past: Steve Jobs on Paul Rand and the design of the iconic #Apple logo – http://ow.ly/SWhI

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    themantle on January 5th, 2010 at 11:52 am

  30. Anyone else get a sense that Steve is almost describing himself? RT @brainpicker Uncovered Gem: Steve Jobs on Paul Rand http://ow.ly/1mJiOu

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    dcdomain on January 5th, 2010 at 11:55 am

  31. Uncovered gem: Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand, a 1993 interview http://ow.ly/SWhI (via @brainpicker) pretty rad

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    faceattack on January 5th, 2010 at 11:57 am

  32. .@brainpicker re: http://bit.ly/5IQR2Z Paul Rand did not design the Apple logo. Jobs is taking about the NeXT logo http://bit.ly/4yt4kw

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    goodmachine on January 5th, 2010 at 12:13 pm

  33. Steve Jobs on working with Paul Rand—snippit from a 1993 interview. Short but stellar. http://tr.im/Jvbt ^KA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    Sametz on January 5th, 2010 at 12:34 pm

  34. Insight from Steve Jobs on Paul Rand and the Next logo. http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2010/01/05/steve-jobs-on-paul-rand/

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    DesignAudit on January 5th, 2010 at 12:37 pm

  35. RT @brainpicker Uncovered Gem: Steve Jobs on Paul Rand http://ow.ly/1mJiOu

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    gjackus on January 5th, 2010 at 6:14 pm

  36. Sobre o assunto anterior: http://bit.ly/8qk3rE

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    pluginhead on January 5th, 2010 at 6:27 pm

  37. RT @jodiemoule: Steve Jobs on designer Paul Rand (1993) http://ow.ly/SWhI /via @brainpicker >> “…no I will solve your problem & …

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    marcuscoghlan on January 5th, 2010 at 6:31 pm

  38. Steve Jobs talks about working with Paul Rand http://ow.ly/SWhI

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    PixelPeddler on January 5th, 2010 at 8:01 pm

  39. Steve Jobs on Paul Rand. 1993 http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2010/01/05/steve-jobs-on-paul-rand/

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    d0gc0w on January 5th, 2010 at 10:07 pm

  40. RT @brainpicker Uncovered gem: Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand, a 1993 interview http://ow.ly/SWhI

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    6things on January 5th, 2010 at 11:17 pm

  41. Paul Rand designer to Steve Jobs: I’ll solve your problem for you —if u want options, go talk to other people via@BBHlabs http://ow.ly/SWhI

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    Gamille on January 6th, 2010 at 7:21 am

  42. Uncovered gem: Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand, a 1993 interview http://j.mp/6KFyRM /via @brainpicker

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    gluelondon on January 6th, 2010 at 7:26 am

  43. Uncovered gem: Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand, a 1993 interview http://j.mp/6KFyRM (via @brainpicker @gluelondon)

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    designtaxi on January 6th, 2010 at 7:28 am

  44. Uncovered gem: Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand, a 1993 interview http://j.mp/6KFyRM / (via @brainpicker + @gluelondon)

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    BlairThomson on January 6th, 2010 at 7:30 am

  45. RT @gluelondon The solution to design hell – bravado and brilliance
    http://j.mp/6KFyRM /via

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    followTommyB on January 6th, 2010 at 7:30 am

  46. RT @designtaxi: Uncovered gem: Steve Jobs on working with designer Paul Rand http://j.mp/6KFyRM (via @brainpicker @gluelondon)

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    jonesjeff on January 6th, 2010 at 7:32 am

  47. RT @gluelondon: Uncovered gem: Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand, a 1993 interview http://j.mp/6KFyRM /via @brainpicker

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    testingqa on January 6th, 2010 at 8:10 am

  48. RT @designtaxi: Uncovered gem: Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand, a 1993 interview http://j.mp/6KFyRM (via @brainpick …

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    CrosstrainerSA on January 6th, 2010 at 8:12 am

  49. RT @gluelondon: Uncovered gem: Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand, a 1993 interview http://j.mp/6KFyRM /via @brainpicker

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    tugbaybilbay on January 6th, 2010 at 8:46 am

  50. steve jobs on paul rand. what more could you ask for? http://j.mp/6KFyRM (via @brainpicker @gluelondon)

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    arielko2 on January 6th, 2010 at 9:03 am

  51. RT @gluelondon: Uncovered gem: Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand, a 1993 interview http://j.mp/6KFyRM /via @brainpicker

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    AprilDesign on January 6th, 2010 at 9:22 am

  52. RT @designtaxi: Uncovered gem: Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand, a 1993 interview http://j.mp/6KFyRM

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    mtribone on January 6th, 2010 at 9:44 am

  53. Uncovered gem: Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand, a 1993 interview http://j.mp/6KFyRM /via @brainpicker (via @gluelondon)

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    jcardfern on January 6th, 2010 at 10:02 am

  54. @brainpicker 30 designers & authors answer two straightforward but incredibly complex questions. http://ow.ly/SWhI

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    Ted_Crawford on January 6th, 2010 at 11:17 am

  55. Steve Jobs on working with Paul Rand. http://bit.ly/6hU2tn (via @designtaxi)

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    ptsunny on January 6th, 2010 at 11:26 am

  56. great stuff. RT @brainpicker Uncovered gem: Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand, a 1993 interview http://ow.ly/SWhI

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    knash99 on January 6th, 2010 at 2:13 pm

  57. Steve Jobs on working with iconic designer Paul Rand, a 1993 interview http://j.mp/6KFyRM / via @brainpicker great find Maria Thank you LH

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    TongueTalks on January 6th, 2010 at 5:46 pm

  58. A brave assault on the paradox of choice, or why the best option is the only option ,Steve Jobs on Paul Rand http://bit.ly/8UNiAx

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    nitjyotsaroan on January 6th, 2010 at 7:54 pm

  59. “As much a #business problem solver as an #artist” Steve Jobs on #design(er) Paul #Rand (1993) (via @brainpicker) http://ow.ly/SWhI

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    rlizares on January 6th, 2010 at 8:10 pm

  60. Rand – my design hero RT @Sametz: Steve Jobs on working with Paul Rand—snippit from 1993 interview. Short but stellar. http://tr.im/Jvbt ^KA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    lauraboomerang on January 7th, 2010 at 9:14 am

  61. Uncovered Gem: Steve Jobs on Paul Rand http://bit.ly/544ztd What it was like to work with the iconic designer.

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    timyull on January 7th, 2010 at 2:50 pm

  62. Uncovered Gem: Steve Jobs on Paul Rand http://bit.ly/8BRuRQ The ultimate client. The ultimate designer. by Maria Popova @brainpicker

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    tsevis on January 10th, 2010 at 9:47 am

  63. RT @tsevis: Uncovered Gem: Steve Jobs on Paul Rand http://bit.ly/8BRuRQ The ultimate client. The ultimate designer. by Maria Popova @bra …

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    harrisrodis on January 10th, 2010 at 10:03 am

  64. RT @tsevis: Uncovered Gem: Steve Jobs on Paul Rand http://bit.ly/8BRuRQ The ultimate client. The ultimate designer.Maria Popova @brainpicker

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    AFrangias on January 10th, 2010 at 11:55 am

  65. Uncovered Gem: Steve Jobs on Paul Rand http://bit.ly/8qk3rE

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    irenelson on January 10th, 2010 at 11:59 am

  66. Paul Rand— “I will solve your problem for you, and you will pay me. If you want options, go talk to other people” http://tinyurl.com/yc6rese

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    leocasado on January 10th, 2010 at 4:39 pm

  67. 1993 – Steve Jobs über Designer Paul Rand http://bit.ly/8BRuRQ #Inspiration #Interview #video

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    kopfbunt on January 13th, 2010 at 6:53 am

  68. RT @kopfbunt: 1993 – Steve Jobs über Designer Paul Rand http://bit.ly/8BRuRQ #Inspiration #Interview #video

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    breitenbach on January 13th, 2010 at 6:58 am

  69. RT @kopfbunt: 1993 – Steve Jobs über Designer Paul Rand http://bit.ly/8BRuRQ #Inspiration #Interview #video

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    vortrieb on January 13th, 2010 at 7:02 am

  70. Steve Jobs on Paul Rand http://ow.ly/SWhI Awesome interview.

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    gerafez on January 13th, 2010 at 8:59 pm

  71. Steve Jobs talking about designer Paul Rand some years ago http://ow.ly/Z3HM (via @brainpicker)

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    gerasini on January 21st, 2010 at 10:18 am

Comments? Give Brain Pickings a piece of your mind:

«
»