Some 20 odd years ago we were nervously sitting in a conference room packed with software engineers at Claris, Apple’s software subsidiary, as Bill gave a presentation of application window designs that we had been working on. After going through a progression of slides showing minor improvements he came to the first more radical approach and exclaimed, “Aha and here we have a bit of floating loveliness.” He went on to win the room over with his usual wit and charm but to this day we still chuckle whenever we’re working on a presentation and ask “where is the floating loveliness?”

Bill impacted my life through the work environment and culture that he and his founding partners created and nurtured in the early days of IDEO. A place that put people first, and forever instilled and inspired in me a passion for uncompromising excellence in design. I never found a place like IDEO before or after my “apprenticeship years” there. His spirit lives on in all the people who were fortunate to encounter Bill’s IDEO and his fluent approach to work and life. It influenced me beyond my work as a designer. For that I am grateful.

Bill was without doubt the most influencial person in my professional life. Soon after I joined IDEO in the mid-90’s, Bill asked if I could help him with the production of a series of videos to describe IDEO’s process. That inquiry began a process that led me, with Bill and David’s support, to create and lead the in-house media discipline there for a long and fulfilling tenure. As my skills in media production grew, I struck and informal deal with Bill: I’ll show you what I know about video while you help me understand interaction design. I believe I got the better deal.

Bill was that rare human who could simultaneously embody profunditiy and goofyness in such a way that each quality enhanced the other. The word ‘exuberant” always comes to mind whenever I think of Bill, but it’s an exuberance that’s not exhausing to be around – it’s inviting, gentle, and wise.

I also blame Bill for getting me addicted to coffee.

On my last day at IDEO, Bill hosted my going-away party, serving up (at my not-to-be-taken-seriously-request) gin martinis to the group. He was his usual gracious self, and I knew I had been given a great gift. Not just the party, but the amazing opportunity I was given to have worked with him for ten good years.

But it didn’t end at IDEO. A few months after I left, Bill asked if I had time to work on finalizing the DVD for his first book project. Easy answer. For a solid couple of weeks, I drove up to Bill and Karin’s beautiful home in the hills and we would sit down (with salubrious servings of coffee) and crank out the final touches to meet the publishing deadline. It was my chance to see another side of Bill; the intense, focussed, get-the-thing-done side.

Five years later Bill’s influence in my life was revealed again, when a design team at Apple used Bill’s name as a search query in their applicant database and my name came up. Bill had written me a lovely recommendation on LinkedIn. The hiring manager was Bill’s first American employee at ID2. I landed the job, the best one I’ve had since IDEO.

I resonate deeply with Naoto’s beautiful tribute to Bill on these pages. Bill made me a better designer by his guidance, and a better man by his example. I feel as if I’ve lost my professional father. Thank you for being such a wonderful one, Bill. I will still strive to make you proud.

I met Bill at a HighGround user experience workshop in 2000. Between his leadership of the workshop and time driving together back to Denver and delayed flights, I began to understand what a marvelously talented, creative and gracious man he is. I was transitioning careers from working in family planning in developing countries to experience design. Bill was inspiring and encouraging. I organized a day-long event about Product Design in the 21 Century at the Smithsonian, and Bill came as a panelist and suggested others to invite. In that and many other events Bill was a mentor and friend. It has been a joy to spend time with Bill and Karin over the years, in Palo Alto, Woodside and New York. Thank you Bill, you are beloved and missed!

All of my memories are happy ones of Bill. One early one: not long after joining IDEO, in 1996, Thomas Overthun and I were on one of our many trips to Grand Rapids to work with Steelcase, and our Hertz rental car had been upgraded to some giant Buick. While the car seemed appropriate to tooling around West Michigan, we were soon mortified when we ran into Bill at the pyramid, folding himself out of a purlpley-pink Ford Festiva rent-a-wreck. I think I said “Bill, why are you driving such a car?” and he said something like “a consultant should always rent a humble car”. Too right, and it really says a lot about Bill and what mattered to him.

Another happy memory is his farewell and parting shot to us IDEO partners, where he boldly declared “just because I’m a wrinkly, doesn’t mean I’m giving up… I’m going to go do _this_ now”, and sang us a custom crafted tune, gave us a stern but loving assessment of where the firm was, and bid us a fond farewell. As for so many others posting here, I count myself lucky to have known such a happy and smart man. There was always a twinkle in his eye.

From a Korean newspaper article:

“Designer Junggi Sung is the first Korean designer to be hired by a well-known American design firm IDEO. Rather, it was like a scene out of a movie. IDEO co-founder Bill Moggridge became very interested in Sung’s presentation at ICSID 2001 and for the Korean designer, who applied to the U.S. design consulting firm armed only with his own portfolio, even the language barrier did not become a problem. IDEO hired Sung offering him various incentives and the Korean designer began working as a concept designer at IDEO’s Boston office.”

This is my real story and it was like a dream. Bill was a dream maker. That’s why Bill is always in my mind.

Many thanks…

When Bill wrote my letter of recommendation for Interior Design school, I had no idea how privileged I was. I was young and oblivious. Bill had always been supportive of my hopes and dreams. I was only a part time receptionist at IDEO but he always took an interest in my latest and greatest. When I told him I had been a theatre major, he directed and starred me in his latest TIVO video (one of the most embarrassing and horrible representations of myself on screen EVER). We decided maybe voice over was the way to go…

He always asked. He always noticed and smiled in that knowing way. He DID twinkle! When I married Christopher Cowart — a fellow IDEO-er, he told me “now you two are part of the IDEO legacy.” This still feels true.

IDEO is where I grew up and became an adult. It is where I learned that people CAN live creative lives.Bill always tried to give me the tools to follow my dreams. I was perplexed as to why Bill hadn’t responded to my latest and greatest last year. I had sent him a present wrapped oh so prettily and received no reply. I thought he was too busy for me. Now my questions are answered and I am left feeling blind sided.

I counted on that twinkle more than I knew. I was really looking forward to the next conversation and the next hug. Thank you Bill. I will miss you very much.

As a recent graduate working my first job at Stanford University, one of my first assignments was to coordinate the Stanford Conference on Design. The lovely Bill Moggridge was the ambassador and guide for this conference. What an incredible impression he made on me—a gracious, kind, thoughtful and inspiring person is was! Bill and I continued to work together on this conference until 1991. Then in Fall of 1998 I received a call from Bill asking me to help him develop a business plan for a new IDEO offering called IDEO U. Sitting with Bill once a week for several months was my “interview.” I got the opportunity not only to work at IDEO but to have Bill as my mentor for the first year! He never said, “this is what good looks like.” He just is what good looks like. Over the course of my 12 years at IDEO, Bill and I continued to work closely and he became my “go-to guy” when I needed perspective and inspiration. I feel blessed to have known him and learned so much from him. I will miss you lots, Bill.

I will never forget the time I was biking up a steep hill with Bill and his phone rang and it was a call from Europe and he talked all the way up this short steep hill while holding on to the bike with only one hand. I could barely make it up the hill!

Bill’s sense of humor and practical look at the world made him such a joy to work with! He was so open minded and eager to learn new things. He made all the people around him better!