Susan Kare

1954 – present

Susan Kare pioneered the design of computer interfacing and is one of the main reasons why we now have a user-friendly interface instead of having to type code when using a computer. Susan joined Apple in 1982, and without much experience with digital design or computers in general, designed the first icons ever to be used on a commercial computer, as well as the first font family for the Macintosh system. This meant that instead of having to learn and type code commands, users now had access to easy-to-understand symbols and images. Some of her icons, still widely used and recognized today, include the trashcan, computer disk and document with turned-up page corner. She later went on to work independently for multiple clients such as Microsoft, IBM, Intel, Sony Pictures and Facebook.