Jony Ive, the legendary designer, continues to make waves in the technology world. Although it has been several years since he left Apple to establish his own design firm, his profound impact on technology remains unforgettable. Recently, Ive shared his experiences during an interview with BBC's Desert Island Discs, where he reminisced about working on significant projects at Apple and his relationship with Steve Jobs.
Jony Ive revealed that he frequently finds himself pondering, “what Steve would do” despite Jobs advising against such thoughts. Ive expressed, “Every time I think, ‘I wonder what Steve would do?’ I think, ‘Ha! I’m doing exactly what you didn’t want.’” He further added, “It was remarkable that, despite the limitations of my ability to communicate, Steve understood what I thought and how I felt.”
Reflecting on his first experience with a Macintosh, Ive shared his amazement, stating, “I was shocked that I had a sense of the people that made it.” He discussed the process of designing the first iMac with Jobs, highlighting how its translucent design resonated more with customers than its specifications.
Ive also touched on his revolutionary work with the iPhone. He remarked, “The nature of innovation is there will be unpredicted consequences, and I celebrate and am encouraged by the very positive contribution, the empowerment, the liberty that is provided to so many people.” Ive acknowledges the unintended negative consequences, emphasizing his responsibility and commitment to making thoughtful decisions in future projects.
When discussing AI, Ive emphasized the need for “time to understand and react.” Last year, he confirmed his involvement in a new AI device project with OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT. Although he refrained from revealing specific project details, he mentioned that for the first time in his career, he feels “inspired by capability in this way.”
After more than 20 years at Apple, Jony Ive departed the company in 2019 to focus on his design firm, LoveFrom. His firm has collaborated with notable brands such as Airbnb, Moncler, and Ferrari. Although LoveFrom had a consultancy agreement with Apple, this arrangement concluded in 2022.
For those interested in hearing more of Jony Ive's insights, the full interview is available on the BBC website.
