Chief Design Officer... Apologies — Make that Sir Chief Design Officer. British-born, fully-knighted Jony Ive is leaving Apple after 27 years to start his own design company (it'll be called "LoveFrom," inspired by this Steve Jobs quote). Apple assured us in its press release that Jony will keep working with Apple — Shares only dipped 1% after the news because it'll be one of his first clients.
Something you're touching today... was probably touched by Ive and his Bauhaus-inspired commitment to "less is more." When Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, the company was just clicks away from bankruptcy. That's when Jony became Apple's spirit animal by designing these masterpiece devices:
- iMac desktop (1998): The OG-Starburst colored ones that took over your school's computer lab. He also did more recent MacBook Airs.
- iPod (2001): The circular scrolling was a game-changer. He also did the (adorable) iPod Mini.
- iPhone (2007): Apple's greatest commercial success. He also led the teams on the iPad and AirPods.
- A smooth voice: He's known for divine British narration.
- Apple's "neo-futurist" campus (2017): Ive stepped away from product innovations to design the spaceship-ish new Apple HQ building.
Apple needs to schedule a Genius Bar appointment for itself... 2019's been rough and shares are only up 8% over the last year. Slowing iPhone sales and the trade war with key manufacturing partner China have been a problem. The departure of its Apple Store retail chief and now its Chief Designer don't help.