Craig Hickman built Kid Pix.

  1. (The Prime Directive) The program should be extremely easy to use. No manual should be needed and program features should “explain themselves” through use. All tasks should be able to be performed in the simplest, most straightforward way. The program should go out of its way to meet the user.
  1. As long as The Prime Directive is not violated, every opportunity should be taken to make the program surprising and satisfying to use. No opportunity should be missed. The process of making a picture should be as important as the picture produced.

A delightful essay about the origin of a classic, beloved app.