A Note of Thanks.

I'm a designer and illustrator well schooled in the art of Apple- but I also had the privilege of working for one the best companies in the world for just over a year.  It transformed my life- I drank the "kool-aid" and it has since become a part of me and altered how I see and interact with the world- for the better.

My goal was not to use this blog for personal means- but more business and creative- however in this case the two have crossed paths. As I posted earlier the CEO of Apple has passed from this world into the great unknown iCloud in the sky.  It's been a year since I departed from the big glass cube building that was my second home for a year- to follow my own dreams and creative passion, but even so I'm grateful and wanted to add my own lil note of thanks for that time and those experiences.

(And while I have photos from my life "behind the white door"- I still follow the "rules" so sorry if you're looking for insider-info.)

My first day, as a newcomer I was shown this video, and it's stuck with me ever since.  And even now it makes me lil bit teary and proud to be a part of a movement and a vision. This is what I wrote in remembrance of a (yes magical) transformative stepping stone in my career and life.

I was 8 when we got our first mac. An apple IIC... and man I loved that thing, long before graphics programs and photoshop I was drawing rudimentary images with my mouse and feeling like I was in the future. Twenty years later I was a freelance illustrator (art school grad) trying to make ends meet and taking design courses to "make myself more marketable".  
I needed a PT job, and figured "why not be somewhere with things I love?"  Apple was already a part of my life- why not use those skills to help others and make a lil money? I figured if I was hired I'd be in some suburban mall, it would be a typical retail job with long hours and occupy all my weekends. But then Boylston Street called me in, and everything changed.

The summer I was hired to work in the then largest Apple Store in the USA- I had no direction, in my life- not really. I was too afraid to take chances with my own artwork and put it out in the world. I hadn't give up my dreams, I just couldn't really identify them with any clarity. I was making mirrors and paintings but not really doing anything with them- and all kinds of ADD when it came to sticking to any one design or product idea.
 
Each day I hopped on a train commuting with tons of people... walked into "the cube", donned my (then neon orange) shirt, laughed with co-workers over coffee and started my day for the first time feeling ike I was a PART of something.  


Everyday I saw first hand the WOW moments Steve helped to create with his vision and innovation... how these tools we carry about all day connect us to those we love, to the businesses that support us and fuel the daily lives of people all over the world. The "family room"/third floor was always abuzz with learning and repaired lives, stories in the making.
When I would go home my face would hurt from smiling.  Not just because I started out as a concierge, but because I was happy to be there... to this day all the things I learned in core- have changed how I react and interact with people- for the better.  

Four years of art school didn't teach me how to sell my work or myself as the creator of it- Apple did.  Believing in what you make, following your passion... it's because of what I learned that I left Boylston Street to start up my own company Kairn Design.  My manager always said to "follow your passion and believe in what you do, never just follow the money"... even though I left the building I never really left apple- I now draw about 60% of the time on my iPad and spend a huge chunk of my day on my MBP.  My whole family has converted to apple- and a year later I still am in contact with almost all of the 200+ people I worked with. As much as I believe in myself, my illustration and talent- it's because of Steve's passion, belief and company that I finally have the courage to go for my own dreams.  

I don't like corporations as a whole- it feels unnatural and full of "airs"... much like politicians trying to get something for very little because of a handshake and plastic smile.  Apple is different- it's not just perception- it's a lifestyle and type of person- "we are only as good as our people". Thank you for making me one of those people. One day I hope to work with Apple again in some capacity and am grateful to have been a part of the Apple family during such an exciting time. 

For the tech that keeps me going, the tools to know how to get there and the courage to follow my passion- thank you Steve.

~Kerri Desmond
Concierge/Specialist 2009-2010




The day I left my name-tag and store for the last time as a Specialist... 
I walked into South Station to see this, which pretty much says it all: