Why Designers Love The Mac!

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It is one of the most debated questions in the design world – why do designers prefer Mac computers over PC’s? Are Mac’s really that much better or is it just a case of brand snobbery that sees them turning to Apple time and time again?

It is hard to imagine the world today without Mac computers, but it was very nearly a reality. The company that was formed in a garage back in the 70’s found its market position by offering extremely powerful computers which were readily adopted by designers and CAD users across the world. Much has been written about how the ousting of Steve Jobs saw the company brought to the brink of bankruptcy until he returned to the company he founded and the rest as they say is history.

Apple Mac’s were always too pricey for the domestic market, especially in the early days, so it was predominately businesses and professional institutions that did shell out for the hardware, their love of which meant they were sure to remain loyal to the brand. Mac users it was often said would never consider changing to another manufacturer and because of this Apple occupied its own niche for many years – that of providing highly powerful PC’s capable of handling memory sucking software and perfect for the production of graphic designs, technical drawings and handling complex data sets.

The Designers Computer:

From the designers perspective Apple represent all that is cool about design. Indeed as much thought has gone into the aesthetics of Apple products including Mac’s, as has gone into the technology inside. The software and OS is intuitive and when compared to Windows, it wins hands down. What Apple offers designers is something that has been well thought through, is easy and simple to use and which ultimately appeals to their sensibilities.

Macs have always been and will remain the designer’s choice, even though Windows PC’s offer a wider range of software and there is nothing you cannot do on a PC that you can do on a Mac. For the designer though, Macs offer the easiest means of getting their ideas into reality and that is the reason why they will always turn to Apple over any other. There is also the likelihood that most designers cut their creative teeth on a Mac and as such are not comfortable using anything else.

Why You Need Mac Experience:

This article however is not intended as a ringing endorsement of Apple over the PC or Microsoft for that matter! But more about pointing out that anyone looking to make it in the design industry will need to be familiar with the hardware as well as popular design software. Chances are those looking for graphic design or artworker jobs will need Mac experience, indeed many design jobs often carry the requirement to be a ‘Mac operator’ or have such experience. Design graduates looking to enter as artworkers, freelancers and even amateur designers will surely need to have Mac experience if they want to make it in this industry.

There can be little doubt that for those looking to get a foothold in this industry through the many design and artworker jobs out there, just a modicum of Mac experience will go a long way. But don’t be fooled, whilst the chances of you finding yourself sitting in front of one are high, it will be your ability to use it creatively that will determine the direction your career will go in!

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