Taking a Bite Out of the Apple: A Graphic Designer’s Tale (Hearing Others’ Voices) is a nonfiction memoir for young adults written by Rob Janoff. While he had gone to college to study industrial design, Janoff was more intrigued by the creative possibilities that graphic design seemed to offer. Indeed, his whole outlook on the world seemed to point him in that direction. He had had some success in designing logos for new tech companies when he went to work for the Regis McKenna Agency in Silicon Valley. That tech experience led his boss, Regis McKenna, to offer him a somewhat off-the-wall assignment. Janoff’s mind was far away as his boss discussed the assignment, but eventually the words “apple” and “computers” broke through his distraction. Janoff even knew of Steve Jobs, the iconic inventor who, with his partner, had turned a garage into the birthplace of the personal computer. But how to render Steve’s concepts into a logo? Janoff’s mind kept toying with the idea, his hand quickly sketching and erasing ideas as they paraded through his imagination. Then he hit on it.

Rob Janoff’s nonfiction memoir for young adults, Taking a Bite Out of the Apple: A Graphic Designer’s Tale, is a beautifully written and fascinating account by the designer of the world-famous Apple logo. Anyone who loves computers and has an interest in how the personal computer came to be will have as much fun reading this book as I did. But there’s more to this memoir than tech history. Janoff’s description of how he tackled the project, working feverishly with a bowl of apples as inspiration is a joy to read. Any creative person should find Janoff’s story inspiring, and his smooth conversational style makes following along as he works towards that one perfect image a grand and entertaining experience. Taking a Bite Out of the Apple: A Graphic Designer’s Tale is most highly recommended.

I was fortunate enough to work with Rob early in my career as a copywriter. His authenticity, honesty and sense of humor
was only matched by a big, bold, beeaufiful talent. This book gives the reader a very relatable taste of that. Because Rob makes it a point to telegraph the intense journey he went on creating the Apple logo. The result isn’t just a good read. It’s a great life lesson in “think before you leap”. You can’t crank out a logo or an ad or a novel or a play without an IDEA. In other words, Taking a Bite out of the Apple is a tale told by an artist, signifying everything it takes to be a success,

I ordered this to give to my brother in law who’s in the computer industry & I remember had mentioned Rob Janoff after reading about him in something else he was reading that had to do with Apple.
I was happy to see it was very cute in appearance & not that long of a book so I read it myself before sending it along to him!
This is written in a very intimate way like the author is speaking to you in his own words. It doesn’t feel edited to death where the personality of who’s writing it is erased but it’s still polished and cleanly written.
There’s some great behind the scenes info about the beginnings of Apple computer. Rob Janoff’s part in history is inspiring , funny in moments & puts together an interesting & essential piece of the history of Apple.
I liked the way the author is not self indulgent about his life apart from the topic of the book but does give us a good sense of who he is & what led him to the creative moment at Apple & then beyond.
It’s a very well structured book with relevant visuals scattered throughout which complimented his story.
I’m going to buy a few more as gifts for younger family members as it’s light handed inspiration about working hard, patience & the creative process. Great lessons from a wise man & his flashes of genius.
Enjoy!