Jony Ive to leave Apple
And the first client of his design firm is…Apple
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Jony Ive, easily the most famous product designer inApplehistory, has departed the company to form his own creative firm, called LoveFrom - and its first client will be…Apple.
Ive started at Apple in 1992 and designed the iconic looks of the iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and portions of the company’s iOS mobileoperating system.
His departure signals a generational shift in Apple: Ive defined the modern, white minimalist look of the company’s product line, cultivating a style that suggested elite design accompanied by high price tags compared to other consumer goods.
Given that the only new products since Apple founder Steve Jobs passed way have been theApple WatchandHomePod- neither of which rivaled the cultural impact of the iPod and iPhone (nor made as much profit for Apple) - Ive’s departure could give brand fans pause.
Of course, it’s unclear how close Ive and his new company will work with Apple in the future, though Ive said he “will still be very involved - I hope for many, many years to come,” according to an interview withFinancial Times(pay wall).
Not that the company that Mac built is showing any signs of worry: Apple CEOTim Cookdownplayed Ive’s exit as an “evolution” of the world’s wealthiest corporation in separate remarks toFinancial Times.
“We get to continue with the same team that we’ve had for a long time and have the pleasure of continuing to work with Jony,” Cook told Financial Times. “I can’t imagine a better result.”
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Who will out-Ive Ive?
Apple doesn’t have an immediate replacement lined up for the Chief Design Officer role Ive held since 2015, according to Financial Times. The two next-most senior officers, Alan Dye (lead on Apple’s user interface team) and Evans Hankey (lead on industrial design) will report to Apple COO Evans Hankey.
Ive will be joined at LoveFrom by Apple design team collaborator Marc Newson and other creatives, according to the Financial Times; he will keep working on wearable technology and healthcare alongside other projects.
David is now a mobile reporter at Cnet. Formerly Mobile Editor, US for TechRadar, he covered phones, tablets, and wearables. He still thinks the iPhone 4 is the best-looking smartphone ever made. He’s most interested in technology, gaming and culture – and where they overlap and change our lives. His current beat explores how our on-the-go existence is affected by new gadgets, carrier coverage expansions, and corporate strategy shifts.
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