Susan Kare’s work has been ground-breaking in the computer science field, as well as for women. After doing extensive research, I could not find any other woman referenced in her field of designing Icons. Paula Scher received a Chrysler Design Award for graphic design the same year as Susan Kare. (With the World Redesigned, What Role for Designers?) Paula is a graphic designer that has been nominated four times for Grammy Awards for her designs on album covers. Paula also designs maps. (Paula Scher, Wikipedia) Although Scher is another woman in design, she is not in design for computer Icons. There seems to be a lack of women in the computer science field in Kare’s league.
With a vast amount of people in computer science , 1.6 million working in IT, only a sixth are women. (Where have all the IT girls gone?) Kare was one of the few women in her field, and although it is increasing for women to be in the computer science field, the number is still low. Kare’s drive, and bringing a sense of fun to computers, has been influential. Technology in America is seen on a daily basis. Women use their cell phones, TV’s, transportation, and a variety of other forms of technology. A daily routine may start by getting ready in the morning, using a hairdryer and straightener to fix their hair, getting in the car stopping by Starbucks on the way to work, making a call on the cellphone while driving, and going to the office getting on a laptop.
While women use technology to make their lives convenient, for the most part it is not women who are developing these forms of technology. Boys and girls alike, play with different forms of technology. Nintendo is played by both girls and boys, but as girls get older, the fascination with computers seems to end. Boys will take things apart, trying to get a feel for how things work. Girls use computers throughout school, but do not have that interest to go into the field continuing on in life. “Technology remains male preserve, particularly computer science, where only 13% of all higher-education applicants in 2006 were female.” (Where have all the IT girls gone?)
In 2005, Toshiba conducted a study of girls between the ages of 11 and 18 to see where the idea of computer science as a career stood. They questioned over a thousand girls, in which 76% liked working with computers, and only 45% enjoyed the math and sciences. On the same note, 77% were not sure if they would want to work in the computer science field. For those girls that did decide to pursue work in the computer industry, 57% said another career field sounded more appealing, but only 4% said that only boys should be in the field. (Where have all the IT girls gone?) Math and science are part of the degree of computer science. Since this is generally not seen as appealing to girls, they are not going to pursue a career that has these studies as a focus. The article goes on to say that girls mainly like computers as a form of communication. They partake in computer games such as Sims, and use computers for internet research or creative outlets, otherwise they do not fully engage in computer sciences. Howard Gardner, a professor at Harvard for cognition and education, says boys are drawn to physical objects, such as computers, whereas girls are more drawn to social interaction. A career in computer science is not seen as interesting or very social.
While women are interested in technology for convenience, why are there so few women in the computer science field? Men and women use technology differently. Men are more likely to play with a piece of technology to get a sense of if how it works. Men generally collect pieces of technology, such as electronic devices. Women tend to use their cell phones for convenience, use their laptops for convenience, and many other household appliances. Women, although they use the same pieces of technology as men, are not in the field as developers or designers. Women are not necessarily absent, but rather gone unnoticed. Susan Kare has broken through as one of the few women making significant contributions in computer science. As such an influential woman clearing the path and leading the way, there should be more women to follow. Dr Kare has not only shown it can be done, but continues to grow professionally and has had great success.
