As a bonus, Rand agreed to design a personal calling card for Jobs. He came up with a colorful type treatment, which Jobs liked, but they ended up having a lengthy and heated disagreement about the placement of the period after the P in Steven P. Jobs. Rand had placed the period to the right of the P., as it would appear if set in lead type. Steve preferred the period to be nudged to the left, under the curve of the P., as is possible with digital typography. It was a fairly large argument about something relatively small, Susan Kare recalled. On this one Jobs prevailed. In
During a collaboration between Steve Jobs and renowned designer Paul Rand, an interesting debate arose over a seemingly minor detail of a personal calling card. Rand, known for his exceptional design skills, crafted a colorful type treatment that Jobs appreciated. However, a clash occurred regarding the placement of the period following the 'P' in "Steven P. Jobs." Rand positioned the period according to traditional typesetting norms, while Jobs preferred a modern digital approach that placed the period under the curve of the letter.
This disagreement escalated into a significant argument, highlighting Jobs’ strong preferences in design. Susan Kare, who witnessed the exchange, noted that although the issue seemed minor, it was indicative of Jobs’ meticulous nature and desire for perfection in every detail of his work. Ultimately, Jobs asserted his preference, demonstrating how even small elements in design can carry substantial weight in the creative process.
