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Apple's Longtime Design Chief Jony Ive Leaving to Start New Design Company With Apple as a Primary Client
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I can't imagine money had anything to do with this. I think he just wants to design certain things and he can't do that at Apple.
I mean, maybe he wants to design a crystal dildo? Can't do that for Apple.
I read somewhere the primary reason Apple made the gold watch was because Ive wanted to work with gold.
Running his own shop will give him the freedom to do what he wants.
Gut feeling is he gets a guaranteed customer until his agency builds a customer base, then he's on his own. Then a move back to England like he wanted to do before Steve convinced him to stay until Ebenezer Cook got used to the CEO thing. Wearables - Tim's haberdashery. Maybe the focus becomes the operating system not hardwware for a decade - we don't need no stinking new designs, we need cheaper production costs.
OR...
- Because he’s been there 30 years Designing iterative computers, tablets etc
- Jobs, Ives and Cook said that he had a master plan of products for an 6 years and that came to fruition with the iPad Pro. A full screen computer replacement.
- Working to demanding Schedules with a family.
He’s a designer who loves design andwants to design OTHER things.
He wants more family time. His new company will probably be in San Francisco... not a 1hr20 drive from his house in SF.
Oh and he will still be working with Apple. So my guess is his company will consult on overall designs but not have to deal with the day to day.
I have been writing software for the Apple ecosystem since 1986. I'm glad I got to see the early days and had a good run through the peak days of 2007 or so. With the old guard fading away, I can see the end of Apple as I've known it over the next 5-10 years. Fortunately that will coincide with my retirement from daily work.
It's been an amazing 30+ years but all good things come to an end.
It's been an amazing 30+ years but all good things come to an end.
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I have a feeling he has enjoyed Apple less and less ever since Steve died. IIRC they were very close and while even after Steve died, Jony had pretty much complete freedom, maybe he just didn’t really enjoy it as much anymore. Can’t fault the guy but I will miss his designs. The iMac G4 will go down as my favorite desktop computer ever.
Maybe. I don't know much about Williams, frankly, or the breadth of his background.
As long as their next CEO isn't Eddie Cue, I'm good.
Absolutely superb take by John Gruber:
https://daringfireball.net/2019/06/jony_ive_leaves_apple
I agree with Gruber that the new org chart doesn’t make sense. Design shouldn’t be reporting to ops. They need a chief design officer.
https://daringfireball.net/2019/06/jony_ive_leaves_apple
I agree with Gruber that the new org chart doesn’t make sense. Design shouldn’t be reporting to ops. They need a chief design officer.
Well that’s what’s sales guys, business guys want. Less of a buldge in their jackets.
What’s Jon Rubinstein up to right now? Truth be told, I feel like Ive was fantastic until about 2003, then has been pretty boring.
Do stock prices usually go up when a very respected and successful C level exec departs a company?
In 2021 Apple will be another IBM, Microsoft or Samsung. Is it a bad thing? Ive's singular vision vs. let's try everything and see what sticks. We'll see. Perhaps a round Apple Watch, a thicker, more durable iPad and Macs with more ports.
As much as the design of the new Mac Pro grows on me, it shows a lack of designer vision. And iPads cannot get any thinner: shaving off .1 millimeters and sacrificing durability – that's taking thinnovation too far. iPhone? Well, 2019 models are more of the same, repeat 2017/2018 iPhones. 2020 will be "new" – it's already set to be in line with the current iPad Pro.
Beyond that, let's see what "no Ive" brings.
As much as the design of the new Mac Pro grows on me, it shows a lack of designer vision. And iPads cannot get any thinner: shaving off .1 millimeters and sacrificing durability – that's taking thinnovation too far. iPhone? Well, 2019 models are more of the same, repeat 2017/2018 iPhones. 2020 will be "new" – it's already set to be in line with the current iPad Pro.
Beyond that, let's see what "no Ive" brings.
I can’t quote everyone, but he’s now a contractor, meaning he’s still getting paid by Apple but can take on other clients. Apple is outsourcing design to his company, which is probably the only way they got him to stay involved since he had wanted to go back to the UK years ago.
Personally, I buy Apple products for the operating systems. The product designs of recent years haven’t effected my purchasing decisions at all.
Honestly? I take that to mean this came about very suddenly. Either Ive got fired, or he quit, and there was very little planning so now they're scrambling to do some kind of transition until they can find somebody else to take over.
I remember reading several years ago that Jony was spending more time in the UK and the writing was on the wall then.
Nobody is irreplaceable. He was the right man at the right time for the second coming of Steve Jobs, but on his own he hasn't broken any new ground in a long time. To the average Joe, there is very little difference between the 2007 and 2019 iMac and 12 years is a very long time to iterate on the same design language. I truly believe he attained his vision of a perfect design for these products and had trouble moving past it. Artists / Designers are not a bottomless pit of fresh ideas and if you aren't feeling inspired and motivated it's basically impossible to make yourself do the work. I hope his departure leaves room for fresh ideas and more energetic designers to fill his shoes. Exciting times ahead I think!
Nobody is irreplaceable. He was the right man at the right time for the second coming of Steve Jobs, but on his own he hasn't broken any new ground in a long time. To the average Joe, there is very little difference between the 2007 and 2019 iMac and 12 years is a very long time to iterate on the same design language. I truly believe he attained his vision of a perfect design for these products and had trouble moving past it. Artists / Designers are not a bottomless pit of fresh ideas and if you aren't feeling inspired and motivated it's basically impossible to make yourself do the work. I hope his departure leaves room for fresh ideas and more energetic designers to fill his shoes. Exciting times ahead I think!
The Apple you knew is already dead and gone. I agree and I miss the old desktops most of all but I’m also fine with the new direction the company is taking overall and I’ll still use Apple software over windows or android any day.I have been writing software for the Apple ecosystem since 1986. I'm glad I got to see the early days and had a good run through the peak days of 2007 or so. With the old guard fading away, I can see the end of Apple as I've know it over the next 5-10 years. Fortunately that will coincide with my retirement from daily work.
It's been an amazing 30+ years but all good things come to an end.
Stop arsing around on Instaface and get the right cable then. Be a better human. Don’t blame your failing on someone else.
I guess is was the volume UI, "is translucent or I quit!"
Bring back Forstall !
Bring back Forstall !
To be fair aside from reducing/removing the chin what is there that can be changed about the iMac design anymore?
Shame he’s going to continue to work with apple.