Tonight Dad was honored at the AIGA Centennial Gala. I was honored to be there with my Mum and sing a silly song at his memory. Silly songs: one of Dad’s many hidden talents.

He was an idealistic fighter, each section of his dramatic life requires a lifetime effort for others to achieve, but he never met, always wanted to do something for the future and this world. We have been invited to talk at the same conference at least for three times. Although what he said was always similar, you can always be inspired by his insights and super nice personality. I still remember he was so proud to say that he made the graphic design of (the interior of) Designing Interactions by himself.

He said the reason he took the job of the museum is to communicate design to the mass, and enable design to enter people’s daily life. I went to the museum to see him in 2012, he was so excited to show me every details of the museum, introduce how they move a TATA car into the old museum. He was so proud to say that he had raised so many funds for the museum. He said my DESIGN Harvests project should been shown in his museum when the renovation is completed. At that time, Jobs was just passed away, in order to see the apple flagship store on Fifth Avenue, I declined the invitation to his apartment for lunch. I did not expect it became our last meeting, as he health condition seems great at that time. Later, I heard he had some problems and had already returned to California, after that came the bad news.

“Design for a meaningful life and a better world”, this is his life. We all know that he is now in paradise.

I knew about Bill when I was deciding to become an Industrial Designer 35 years ago. There was an exhibition about british design in México City, I saw his work and decided to became an ID. I lost his track during years, the I knew he co-founded IDEO. I established contact with him to invite him to come to Universidad Panamericana campus Bonaterra in México, he came to give 4 conferences. Then we created a postgraduate program called Biointeractive Innovation. Now I have an investigation line about interaction in the virtual world. And you ask me how he changed my life…

Bill kindly keynoted our WORKTECH event in New York. His talk was inspirational.

A scene from an organizing meeting at IDEO in San Francisco for IDSA’s CONNECTING’07 conference.

Bill-Angels-Ona Spreenberg, 1996

This pic is almost 20 years old. My baby was born that year and I was so happy to bring our daughter to dad’s office and parties in the Embarcadero.

Bill was always curious about everybody and everything. I remember him always with his smile… (at least with me… with us…) but also as a very bright and clever boss.

My condolences and love to the family from Barcelona. Siempre te recordaremos!

Allen Road, 2008

Having fun with “infinity projection” at the d.school, back when it was still housed at Sweet Hall.

Bill – Your gifts will live on in all of us.

It was the ’80s. ID2 had relocated to San Francisco but Bill decided the company Christmas party would be held in Palo Alto. Where would we sleep after partying? Over several rounds at Mario’s, we decided – a sleepover! a surprise sleepover! at Bill & Karin’s! Their last present at the party was a T-shirt reading “ID2 Xmas Sleepover”. “Ah,” Bill said, ever quick on the take, “I guess you’re coming with us!” We followed them home. Played charades by candlelight next to Karin’s beautiful Christmas tree. And we slept EVERYWHERE. The next morning Bill roused us with his son’s heavy metal music. Cultural sharing or retribution? Karin, you were so gracious. It is a night we never forgot.