Longtime Apple hardware designer Jony Ive began distancing himself from the company long before announcing his departure, after growing ‘dispirited’ by Tim Cook’s lack of interest in product development
- Reports reveal Apple designer Jony Ive grew ‘dispirited’ with leadership
- The chief designer only showed up to Apple’s offices a couple times per week
- Ive announced that he would be leaving last week after nearly 30 years at Apple
- Sources say Ive felt Apple CEO Tim Cook was disinterested with product design
- Ive may have grown frustrated with new executives not involved with Apple
- The designer’s new firm ‘LoveFrom’ will continues designing Apple products
Apple’s iconic designer Jony Ive may have recently announced his departure from the company, but according to several new reports, his absence is old news.
According to the Wall Street Journal, prior to Ive’s announcement last week that he would be vacating his nearly 30-year post as the chief of Apple’s product design, the designer had increasingly distanced himself from the company, often choosing to work from home instead of in Apple’s offices.
The report suggest that Ive was ‘disprited’ with the leadership and agenda of Apple under current CEO Tim Cook who according to one source ‘showed little interest in the product development process.’
Ahead of the blockbuster announcement that Apple’s iconic designer Jony Ive (left) would be leaving his post at Apple, a new round of reports reveals Ive was increasingly absent
A disconnect between Cook and Ive stands in stark contrast to a relationship forged between the designer and the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs who often played a hands-on role in crafting the company’s newest products.
Ive’s reported shift in his involvement with the company followed the release of Apple’s Watch, which after being released in 2015, only sold 10 million units — about a quarter of the forecasted amount.
He was promoted as Chief Design Officer shortly after the release.
Internally, Ive shared disagreements with other members of Apple’s leadership on how to market the device, arguing that the product should be sold as a fashion accessory and not a companion to the iPhone.
Following the lackluster sale, Bloomberg reports that Ive only showed up to Apple’s offices two to three days a week and many times meetings were moved from Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino nearer to his home in San Francisco.
Compounding disinterest in his role as head Apple design officer, the Wall Street Journal reports that Ive became frustrated with the fact that many of the company’s directors came from backgrounds that had increasingly little to do with the company.
Ive will continue to play a role at Apple from his new role as operating an independent design firm called ‘LoveFrom.’
Apple will be the firm’s first client where he will continue to work on projects more selectively.
As reported by Bloomberg, Apple’s next big product may be a pair of augmented reality glasses.
Apple’s team is reportedly already in the beginning stages of preparing a new product, talking to suppliers and mulling methods of production.
Ive shared a close rapport with the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs and the two often debated the company’s product design.
Upon announcing his departure from Apple, Ive told the Financial Times that wearable technology was among the most personally engaging aspects for the industry veteran.
Though Ive had grown distant from Apple’s day-to-day operations, his departure is still being regarded as monumental shift for the company.
Ive has followed Apple’s rise since joining the design team in 1996 where he made many contributions that helped set it apart from the competition.
Among the most pivotal products designed by Ive are the 1998 iMac, equipped with colorful side panels, as well as the company’s sleek iPad.
Designers Evans Hankey, vice president of Industrial Design, and Alan Dye, vice president of Human Interface Design, will jointly replace Sir Jony, according to Apple.
