Apple Design Chief Jonathan Ive Knighted in Buckingham Palace, Says 'Best Work' is Underway Now

MacRumors · May 23, 2012, 08:29 AM

BBC reports that Apple's design chief Jonathan Ive was knighted today in Buckingham Palace, with Princess Anne performing the honors. Ive's knighthood was announced in December, but the official ceremony was not held until today.

Ive's knighthood was accompanied by a rare extensive profile and interview with The Telegraph in which he shares details on his background and philosophy.

Quote:

"All I've ever wanted to do is design and make; it's what I love doing. It's great if you can find what you love to do. Finding it is one thing but then to be able to practise that and be preoccupied with that is another," he says. "I'm very aware of an incredible tradition in the UK of designing and making, and so to be recognised in this way is really wonderful."

The humble Ive, who notably almost always uses "we" rather than "I" in discussion of Apple's design process, emphasizing the team aspect of the industrial design division's work, also discusses the care that Apple takes in designing every single aspect of each product.

Quote:

"We're keenly aware that when we develop and make something and bring it to market that it really does speak to a set of values. And what preoccupies us is that sense of care, and what our products will not speak to is a schedule, what our products will not speak to is trying to respond to some corporate or competitive agenda. We're very genuinely designing the best products that we can for people."

Asked which of his designs is most important to him and for which he would like to be remembered most, Ive notes that his team's current projects are "the most important and the best work we've done" but that he of course can't disclose details on that work.

Article Link: Apple Design Chief Jonathan Ive Knighted in Buckingham Palace, Says 'Best Work' is Underway Now

ristlin · May 23, 2012, 08:30 AM

Is it just me or does he look like the chubby boy from Willy Wonka in that picture? An older version...

needfx · May 23, 2012, 08:30 AM

Yes my Liege

Frosticus · May 23, 2012, 08:31 AM

Already here... http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=14904299

Congrats to Jony.

Make that Sir Jony.

basesloaded190 · May 23, 2012, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ristlin

Is it just me or does he look like the chubby boy from Willy Wonka in that picture? An older version...

At first I thought you were crazy, but the comparison is uncanny!

Anyways, Congrats to Johnny. Well Deserved.

tigres · May 23, 2012, 08:34 AM

I find this to be the most interesting quote of the article.

From The Telegraph
"Ive has achieved an awful lot and still has a long career ahead of him. Even so, a knighthood is a good time to take stock. If he was to be remembered for just one of his Apple designs, I ask, which one would he pick?

There is the long pause. “It’s a really tough one. A lot does seem to come back to the fact that what we’re working on now feels like the most important and the best work we’ve done, and so it would be what we’re working on right now, which of course I can’t tell you about.”

colmaclean · May 23, 2012, 08:34 AM

Well played, Sir!

Artey · May 23, 2012, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigres

I find this to be the most interesting quote of the article.

From The Telegraph
"Ive has achieved an awful lot and still has a long career ahead of him. Even so, a knighthood is a good time to take stock. If he was to be remembered for just one of his Apple designs, I ask, which one would he pick?

There is the long pause. “It’s a really tough one. A lot does seem to come back to the fact that what we’re working on now feels like the most important and the best work we’ve done, and so it would be what we’re working on right now, which of course I can’t tell you about.”

Yes that has me very excited too! I can't wait to see what they have in store for us.

Sasoon · May 23, 2012, 08:35 AM

After Steve, he is the most important person for Apple success

QCassidy352 · May 23, 2012, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ristlin

Is it just me or does he look like the chubby boy from Willy Wonka in that picture? An older version...

It's just you.

Sky Blue · May 23, 2012, 08:38 AM

I thought the Queen knighted people?

Coastercub · May 23, 2012, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ristlin

Is it just me or does he look like the chubby boy from Willy Wonka in that picture? An older version...

Willy Wonka is looking a little rough now

codo · May 23, 2012, 08:38 AM

Fantastic, truly well deserved! Why was it Anne rather than the Queen?!

parish · May 23, 2012, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky Blue

I thought the Queen knighted people?

She does, but she's currently camped outside the Covent Garden Apple Store waiting for the new MBPs to be released

Adidas Addict · May 23, 2012, 08:41 AM

I think it's a good sign that Jonny has put on a few pounds, he's obviously content in life and looks very happy.

Pure 'Apple' dropping in hype inducing answers to questions

Young Turk · May 23, 2012, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artey

Yes that has me very excited too! I can't wait to see what they have in store for us.

Has to be the iTV.

kriskay · May 23, 2012, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parish

She does, but she's currently camped outside the Covent Garden Apple Store waiting for the new MBPs to be released

That made me geniune belly laugh!!!

olowott · May 23, 2012, 08:43 AM

Total Respect Sir Jony, nothing like designs you make been enjoyed by millions of people and still has great value

iEnvy · May 23, 2012, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacRumors

Ive notes that his team's "current projects are the most important and the best work we've done" but that he of course can't disclose details on that work.

Doesn't that get you excited?

MonkeySee.... · May 23, 2012, 08:51 AM

Snowshiro · May 23, 2012, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codo

Fantastic, truly well deserved! Why was it Anne rather than the Queen?!

There are literally hundreds of honors distributed each year. Some are done by the Queen, but Charles and Anne have both stood in for her on numerous occasions.

Overseas honors can also be presented by the British ambassador to that country under authority from her majesty. The Fonz (Henry Winkler) got his recently that way.

Winter Charm · May 23, 2012, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artey

Yes that has me very excited too! I can't wait to see what they have in store for us.

Didn't Tim Cook mention that 2012 was going to be a big year? (can someone verify?)

I'm so excited

iScott428 · May 23, 2012, 09:02 AM

Somewhere Apple's Public Relations and marketing VP's are smiling foolishly right now.

Love the Doesn't the Queen Knight him comment too!!

jonnyb · May 23, 2012, 09:03 AM

From the article:

"Just one person looks twice at Jonathan Ive as we walk through the Apple store in London's Covent Garden and that's a member of staff. The customers are oblivious to the presence of the man responsible for the design of the computers, iPads, iPhones and iPods that they are admiring, tapping and caressing throughout the shop."

If I'd been there my eyes would have popped out to see Jonathan Ive so far from 'home'. I'd have probably embarrassed myself by rushing over to shake his hand and mumble some awkward words of appreciation.

Winni · May 23, 2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigres

I find this to be the most interesting quote of the article.

From The Telegraph
"Ive has achieved an awful lot and still has a long career ahead of him. Even so, a knighthood is a good time to take stock. If he was to be remembered for just one of his Apple designs, I ask, which one would he pick?

There is the long pause. “It’s a really tough one. A lot does seem to come back to the fact that what we’re working on now feels like the most important and the best work we’ve done, and so it would be what we’re working on right now, which of course I can’t tell you about.”

Creative persons will ALWAYS say that what they're working on right at that moment is the best work they've ever done.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinjin201

Didn't Tim Cook mention that 2012 was going to be a big year?

Did any CEO of any company ever say that the current year was not going to be a big year for the company?

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frosticus

Congrats to Jony.

This. He's doing awesome work and deserves all the credit for it - including this well earned knighthood.

May 23, 2012, 08:30 AM	#2
ristlin Guest Join Date: Mar 2012	Is it just me or does he look like the chubby boy from Willy Wonka in that picture? An older version...
	-28

May 23, 2012, 08:30 AM	#3
needfx macrumors 65816 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: macrumors apparently	Yes my Liege
	-5

May 23, 2012, 08:31 AM	#4
Frosticus macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bristol, UK	Already here... http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=14904299 Congrats to Jony. Make that Sir Jony. __________________ iPad (3rd gen.) 4G 32GB \| iPhone 4S 32GB \| 27" iMac 2.7GHz Core i5 \| Apple TV 2 \| iPod Nano 8GB
	2

May 23, 2012, 08:34 AM	#6
tigres macrumors 68040 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Land of the Free-Waiting for Term Limits	I find this to be the most interesting quote of the article. From The Telegraph "Ive has achieved an awful lot and still has a long career ahead of him. Even so, a knighthood is a good time to take stock. If he was to be remembered for just one of his Apple designs, I ask, which one would he pick? There is the long pause. “It’s a really tough one. A lot does seem to come back to the fact that what we’re working on now feels like the most important and the best work we’ve done, and so it would be what we’re working on right now, which of course I can’t tell you about.” __________________ Quicker than two shakes of a lambs tail
	33

May 23, 2012, 08:34 AM	#7
colmaclean macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Berlin	Well played, Sir!
	13

May 23, 2012, 08:35 AM	#9
Sasoon macrumors newbie Join Date: May 2012	After Steve, he is the most important person for Apple success __________________ New iPad Mini compared to iPad 3 and iPhone 5 with actual size photos :-)
	24

May 23, 2012, 08:38 AM	#11
Sky Blue macrumors 603 Join Date: Jan 2005	I thought the Queen knighted people? __________________ "The case is so square that it easily stands at attention as if begging for treats."
	11

May 23, 2012, 08:38 AM	#13
codo macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2006 Location: England, United Kingdom	Fantastic, truly well deserved! Why was it Anne rather than the Queen?! __________________ 15" MBP 2009 - 2.66 GHz, 9600M GT, 4 GB RAM. iPhone 4S 16 GB - Vodafone.
	5

May 23, 2012, 08:41 AM	#15
Adidas Addict macrumors 65816 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: England	I think it's a good sign that Jonny has put on a few pounds, he's obviously content in life and looks very happy. Pure 'Apple' dropping in hype inducing answers to questions __________________ The phrase is: "Couldn't care less"
	7

May 23, 2012, 08:43 AM	#18
olowott macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Dundee, UK	Total Respect Sir Jony, nothing like designs you make been enjoyed by millions of people and still has great value __________________ 2011 13" Macbook pr-- iPhone 4s 16gb -- iPAD 2 32gb
	4

May 23, 2012, 08:51 AM	#20
MonkeySee.... macrumors 68040 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: UK	__________________ iMac - iPhone - iPad - Apple TV - AirPort Extreme Phil Dunphy: Always keep the rhythm in your feet and a little party in your shoulders.
	18

May 23, 2012, 09:02 AM	#23
iScott428 macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Orlando, FL	Somewhere Apple's Public Relations and marketing VP's are smiling foolishly right now. Love the Doesn't the Queen Knight him comment too!! __________________ 2.2 GHz MPB, 2GB, 120 GB HD;2.4 Mac Mini 8gb 320HD Iphone 8gb> W 3GS 32gb> 4s 64gb W; 32GB Ipad Wifi> 64gb iPad 2 wifi+3G; 16GB Ipod Nano 6G; ATV2; Airport Extreme & Express;Apple Keyboard on Work PC.
	0

May 23, 2012, 09:03 AM	#24
jonnyb macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: London, UK	From the article: "Just one person looks twice at Jonathan Ive as we walk through the Apple store in London's Covent Garden and that's a member of staff. The customers are oblivious to the presence of the man responsible for the design of the computers, iPads, iPhones and iPods that they are admiring, tapping and caressing throughout the shop." If I'd been there my eyes would have popped out to see Jonathan Ive so far from 'home'. I'd have probably embarrassed myself by rushing over to shake his hand and mumble some awkward words of appreciation.
	16

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