In the early 1980s, Steve Jobs’ team at Apple Computer was creating the revolutionary computer that would become the Macintosh.
They knew that a crucial part of creating a personal computer “for the rest of us” would be visual symbols instead of arcane computer code. So Andy Hertzfeld called up Susan Kare, a former high school artist chum (Weak ties! See the recent issue), and told her to go get the smallest graph paper she could find.
Kare’s task was deceptively simple: make the computer understandable through symbols. Each icon had to convey a complete idea within a 32×32-pixel grid of black-and-white squares. The scissors that meant “cut.” The floppy disk. The trash can. The smiling Mac.
These weren’t drawings so much as compressed visual metaphors, she explained, that “if you could tell someone what it is once, they don't forget it.”
When we study how Kare worked, two things stand out:
First, she started on paper.
Kare sketched icons on graph paper before ever touching the computer. Analog thinking was her superpower. She could explore shapes, metaphors, and gestures without the friction of learning early digital tools.
Only once a symbol worked on paper did she translate it into pixels. That hand-to-pixel process created icons that feel direct, functional, and filled with emotion, even today.
Second, the constraint wasn’t a limitation.
It was a forcing function. With so few pixels to work with, every decision mattered. A diagonal line wasn’t a diagonal. It was a staircase of tiny squares that had to read as one motion. A curve was a visual illusion.
To make an idea legible, she had to understand what truly defined the idea. What detail could never be removed? What detail was a distraction?
This is why Kare’s work endures. She wasn’t designing what a paintbrush looked like. She was designing what a paintbrush meant.
What’s the lesson for a solo business?
Most solopreneurs operate inside their own version of a 32×32 grid. Limited time. Limited resources. Limited attention from the people they want to reach. You don’t get acres of canvas. You get your version of a handful of pixels. You can either let these constraints skrink you or sharpen you.
The magic of Kare’s icons lies in the meaning she packed into so little space, with emotion and a bit of whimsy. That’s the skill every solopreneur needs: compressing ideas without flattening them. Stripping your message, offer, or expertise down to its essence.
Your “icon” might be a signature framework. A single sentence that defines what you do. A recurring theme in your content. A visual style. A repeatable way you solve a problem. Anything that works like Kare’s pixel grid. Small, tight, and unmistakably yours.
Kare didn’t set out to build a career around icons. She set out to solve one problem with uncommon clarity. Everything else followed.
It’s a reminder that great work doesn’t start with infinite freedom. It starts with boundaries. How we define ourselves within those boundaries is what the game is all about.
Black Friday deals worth a look
We’re all getting inundated with Black Friday (BF) deals. I'm not offering anything this year, but I’ve collected four offers that I think are worth a look. I use them all and highly recommend each one.
Carrd
If you want to build a one-page website or landing page, Carrd is a great option. It has an intuitive interface, coding options (if that's your jam), and plenty of templates. Best of all, Carrd plans are incredibly priced, and during BF, they’re 40% off: Pro Standard (up to 10 sites, $19/yr, now $11.40) or Pro Plus (up to 50 sites, $49/yr, now $29.40).
And yes, those are annual prices. This offer applies to all upgrades, renewals, and gift plans. Use code: BLK2025 at checkout. Good through: 12/6/2025.
Teachery
If you’ve been thinking about selling digital products or classes online, but don't want another monthly subscription, check out Teachery. For one flat fee (currently at 49% off!!), you can host unlimited courses or products. Run by Jason and Caroline Zook, it's where I host the Solo Business School, alongside several other creator colleagues.
Say goodbye to subscriptions or hidden fees. Access to everything, forever. Regularly $550, BF offer is $280 (one-time payment). Starts today (11/25) and runs for 1 week.
Ecamm
If you create video content on a Mac, Ecamm is the software that lets you look like a pro production studio right from your laptop. Multi-camera switching with one click. Pro-level overlays, transitions, and graphics. And full Zoom integration for sharing presentations and on-screen comments.
I never get on camera without it. If you want to see what the fuss is about, check out their biggest sale of the year: 40% off for new users, through 12/2/25.
CanvaOS
Wayne Fick is a creative director and brand stylist who knows how to make Canva perform like high-end digital design tools. Lucky for us, he's also created an online course, CanvaOS, that transforms using Canva from frustration to streamlined serenity. I really enjoyed it and refer back to it often.
Because of Canva updates, Wayne is revamping his course and relaunching it in January. If you sign up during his BF deal, you get the best of both worlds: immediate access to the current course, and lifetime access to the new one (and all future upgrades). Your special price is 50% off the current price of £175 (he's in the UK), but only for 4 days (this Thursday, 11/27 through 11/30). Get on his waitlist here and mark your calendars!
Check out these offers and invest wisely. Have fun!
Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers in the US!
Until next week: Stay small. Play big.
Terri
P.S. When you’re ready for more, here are a few resources from the Solo Business School:
Want to send a question or comment? Please do — I read (and respond to) my email.
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Authority By Design is a registered trademark, and Content Velocity and Working Solo are trademarks, of Make International LLC. Issue #090.