- Apple’s design head Jony Ive is departing from the company in order to launch his own design firm called LoveFrom
Apple’s design head Jony Ive is departing after spending nearly 30 years at the company. His next move is to start a design firm of his own called LoveFrom with Apple as a client.
Ive told The Financial Times that while he will not be an Apple employee, he still hopes to be “very involved” for many years.
“This just seems like a natural and gentle time to make this change,” said Ive in the interview.
Ive explained that the name LoveFrom was inspired by an Apple employee meeting where Steve Jobs said that when you make something with love and with care for people you may never meet, you are expressing your gratitude to humanity and to the species.
“I so identified with that motivation and was moved by his description. So my new company is called ‘LoveFrom’. It succinctly speaks to why I do what I do,” Ive pointed out.
LoveFrom is expected to launch in 2020 and Ive is also planning to pursue personal projects.
“Jony is a singular figure in the design world and his role in Apple’s revival cannot be overstated, from 1998’s groundbreaking iMac to the iPhone and the unprecedented ambition of Apple Park, where recently he has been putting so much of his energy and care,” stated Apple CEO Tim Cook. “Apple will continue to benefit from Jony’s talents by working directly with him on exclusive projects, and through the ongoing work of the brilliant and passionate design team he has built. After so many years working closely together, I’m happy that our relationship continues to evolve and I look forward to working with Jony long into the future.”
Marc Newson is a co-founder of LoveFrom. Newson is an industrial designer who joined Apple in 2014, who had worked closely with Ive for years. Prior to joining Apple, Newson worked for Qantas as the designer of its business class seats and Chairman’s Lounge. Plus he has also done some work for Nike and Louis Vuitton.
Ive originally joined Apple in 1992 and is credited for overseeing the design of the iPod, iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and iOS. Late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs considered Ive as his “spiritual partner” at Apple as they would brainstorm products together often.
Ive’s first hit product at Apple was the candy-colored iMacs that were released in 1998. Even though the iMacs were criticized by reviewers for not having floppy drives, these computers helped revive the Apple brand.
“After nearly 30 years and countless projects, I am most proud of the lasting work we have done to create a design team, process and culture at Apple that is without peer. Today it is stronger, more vibrant and more talented than at any point in Apple’s history,” added Ive. “The team will certainly thrive under the excellent leadership of Evans, Alan and Jeff, who have been among my closest collaborators. I have the utmost confidence in my designer colleagues at Apple, who remain my closest friends, and I look forward to working with them for many years to come.”
Going forward, Apple design team leaders Evans Hankey (VP of Industrial Design) and Alan Dye (VP of Human Interface Design) will be reporting to COO Jeff Williams.
In another announcement, Apple also named Sabih Khan as SVP of Operations. Khan will be leading key product operations and supply chain functions — who will also be reporting to Williams.
