Sir Jonathan Ive leaves Apple. The one who has been responsible for the apple company’s design for more than two decades has announced that he will abandon Apple to found his own design company, of which Apple will be a customer, according to the company’s statement a few hours ago.
Ive’s iconic designs made Apple one of the world’s biggest companies and devices such as the Mac, iPod or iPhone in design examples for the rest of the industry. The exit of probably the most famous industrial designer in the world is quite a surprise for all, he was in charge of maintaining the aesthetics of Apple and one of the people who knew Jobs the most, his legacy was in his hands.
Ive is going to found his own design company called LoveFrom next year and during these months we will see a small transition, however according to what Ive said, this is not an endpoint, “although I will not be an employee of Apple, I will continue to be very involved. ”
I’ve stopped being an Apple employee but will still be involved
The role of Ive is going to change in Apple and it is possible that every time its importance is diminishing with the years, the person in charge of the most iconic designs of Apple will no longer be an employee of Apple. Although at the moment Apple and Jony Ive are going to go hand in hand, we will have to wait and see how the relationship between Apple and LoveFrom, Ive’s new company, evolves.
In an official statement Tim Cook wanted to dedicate a few words to one of the most important people in Apple’s history:
” Jony is a singular figure in the world of design and his role in Apple’s rebirth can not be underestimated, from the innovative 1998 iMac to the iPhone and unprecedented ambition at Apple Park, where he has recently been putting all his energy and watch out”. Apple will continue to benefit from Jony’s talent by working directly with him on exclusive projects, and through the continued work of the brilliant and passionate design team he has built. After so many years of working closely, I am happy that our relationship continues to evolve and I look forward to working with Jony in the future . ”
Ive himself has also wanted to leave his impressions after almost three decades at Apple:
” After almost 30 years and innumerable projects, I am very proud of the lasting work we have done to create a design team, a process and an Apple culture that has no equal. Today is stronger, more vibrant and more talented than at any time in the history of Apple. The team will thrive under the excellent leadership of Evans, Alan, and Jeff, who have been among my closest collaborators. I have the greatest confidence in my fellow designers at Apple, who are still my closest friends, and I look forward to working with them for many years to come. “
The question that we all ask ourselves is about what will happen now, Apple and Jony Ive will continue to be involved in “exclusive projects” but it does not seem that the degree of involvement can be the same. It is without a doubt a before and after in Apple and a sad day for the company.
