Jony Ive disappears from Apple’s leadership page

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Apple-leadership-2019
You won't see Jony Ive here anymore.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Former design chief Jony Ive today disappeared from Apple’s leadership page after leaving Cupertino.

Ive joined Apple in 1992 and led its design team from 1996. He is credited for helping rescue the company from the brink of bankruptcy with a slew of iconic products.

It’s not quite the end of Ive’s relationship with Apple, however. His own design company, LoveFrom, will hold the iPhone-maker as one of its primary clients.

Ive’s departure from Apple was first confirmed back in June. But many reports would have you believe that his passion for designing Apple products started dwindling long before that.

Ive took a step back when he was promoted to Chief Design Officer in 2015. His efforts were later focused on building Apple’s new headquarters and revamping its retail stores.

As of today, Ive is gone from Apple’s leadership page.

Jony Ive will still serve Apple

“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,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook when the company confirmed Ive’s departure.

Apple will be a “primary client” of LoveFrom, the independent design firm Ive set up with long-time pal Marc Newson, who helped create Apple Watch. But it’s unclear how closely the two companies will really work together going forward.

Back in Cupertino, Apple chief operating officer Jeff Williams will oversee design. Team leaders Evans Hankey and Alan Dye will report directly to him, but they are yet to appear on the leadership page, which is down to 16 faces.

Apple design ‘stronger, more vibrant’ than ever

“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,” Ive said in June.

“Today it is stronger, more vibrant and more talented than at any point in Apple’s history.”

Ive played a key role in designing some of the most important products in Apple’s history — including the iMac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod. He has helped the company win countless design awards.

It will be interesting to see if Apple and LoveFrom do have a relationship in the future. And if so, what kinds of products the pair will collaborate on.

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