Jony Ive, one of Apple’s most recognized senior executives leaving the company, as Apple reports.
Apple says that their Chief Design Officer will depart the company later this year to form an independent design company. Interesting enough, Apple will be among its primary clients.
“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,” Tim Cook was quoted as saying. “After so many years working closely together, I’m happy that our relationship continues to evolve and look forward working with Jony long into the future.”
Jony Ive joined Apple in 1992 and is credited for a lot of things that makes Apple what it is today. He designed the iPod, iPhone, iPad and the Macbook. He is known for his influence on the design of iOS 7 that did away with the skeuomorphic design of the former iOS releases. We also know him as the sultry soothing voice behind past Apple marketing videos where he presented the design elements of Apple products.
Thanks to his position at Apple, his office had all the concepts his design team was working on and he had a lot of power. Steve Jobs even commented about this where he said that Ive had more operational power at Apple except him.
It would be a huge shoe to fill for anyone that will eventually replace Jony Ive at Apple and it will be interesting to see what they will be working on post-Jony Ive. You can also say we are kind of interested in what Jony Ive is working on as his side projects.