Today I wondered into the pantheon of the classic wired kid's wet dream... the original Apple Store in downtown Palo Alto.



What a simple, beautiful playland! And every blessed, white, smooth, soft-edged thing spoke to the creative spirit [forgive me for gushing] in offering a minimal, clean interface, a palette for creating, ultimately, the stories and songs of our lives. Moving pictures, sound and music. How? That's up to each artist to decide!



Quite predominently featured in the space, are long, bistro-like counters with iBooks, desktops, speakers, headphones, and computers open for people to play. Also, in the center of the aisle, low tables and comfy round balls, for kids to sit on and play games of creation or exploration.



Design. Yep. It speaks.