Jony Ive net worth: Who is the Apple designer and what is LoveFrom?

Famed Apple designer Sir Jony Ive has announced he is leaving his post after nearly 30 years with the tech firm.

Ive, who is responsible for renowned Apple products such as the iPod and the Mac computer, broke the news of his departure in an exclusive interview with the Financial Times.

Apple’s Chief Design Officer also revealed that he would be launching his own tech start-up, called LoveFrom, which will work closely with Apple.

“While I will not be an [Apple] employee, I will still be very involved – I hope for many, many years to come,” he said.

“This just seems like a natural and gentle time to make a change.”

Apple boss Tim Cook said his “role in Apple’s revival cannot be overstated.”

Whilst no immediate successor will take Ive’s place, there will be some shifts within the company. Alan Dye, who oversees Apple’s user interface team, and Evans Hankey, who leads industrial design, will report to Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer.

As Ive prepares for his official departure, here’s everything you need to know about one of Apple’s key players:

Who is Jony Ive? What is his net worth?

Originally from the UK, Ive has led Apple’s design team since 1996, having previously worked on the company’s original Apple PowerBook 140, released in 1991.

Since 2012, he has overseen design for both hardware and software at Apple, roles that had previously been separate.

In 2013, he received a Knighthood from the Queen “for services to design and enterprise.”

According to Forbes, Sir Jonathan has an estimated net worth of $130 (£103) billion.

What Apple products did he design?

Jony Ive has acted as the mastermind behind some of Apple’s most iconic products.

iMac G3

It may be hard for anyone born after 1999 to believe, but before we were typing away on our super-fast, super-slim Macs, there was the Apple iMac G3. Launched in 1998, the machine was renowned for its “Bondi Blue” shell, though 13 colours were sold in total. It ceased trading in 2003.

Power Mac G4 Cube

Despite its bizarre transparent design, the Power Mac G4 was still one of Apple’s most popular computers, thanks to it being smaller than a lot of its competitors at the time. Released in the year 2000, its original price would set you back $1,799 (£1,418).

iPod

Apple had the world obsessed with iPods when they were first launched in 2001. With its unique wheel design that would go on to be the blueprint for future Apple products, the iPod revolutionised the way we listen to music, allowing people to carry thousands of songs wherever they went.

iPhone

Apple is without a doubt most famous for its iPhone, which has seen new editions released almost every year since launching in 2007. The iPhone went on to dominate the smartphone industry – and now everyone from your ten-year-old nephew to your great-grandmother probably has one.

iPad

Other companies had previously tried to make the tablet popular, but Apple was the first to do so successfully. With a similar design to the iPhone, the iPad’s larger screen design allowed users to flick through photos and watch videos from a portable screen.

MacBook Air

In 2008, Apple went back to its roots and updated its computer design with the MacBook Air laptop. Its design was revolutionary, thanks to it being thinner than any other laptop on the market. Whilst its gone through lots of revisions since its release, it’s still one of the most popular laptops out there.

Apple Watch

Some sceptics thought combining a watch and a smartphone were a little insane, but they’re now worn by tech enthusiast everywhere. The first generation of Apple watches was launched in 2015 alongside the iPhone 6 and was available in three different categories: Apple Sport, Apple Watch and Apple Watch Edition.

AirPods

It’s rare that you embark on your morning commute and don’t see someone getting out their AirPods. Essentially wireless versions of their signature white headphones, the AirPods use Bluetooth to instantly connect to devices and comes with a charging case.

Apple Park

In 2004, Ive began design work on Apple’s new Cupertino headquarters, named Apple Park. It officially opened in May this year and is entirely powered by renewable energy. CEO Tim Cook said Apple Park is where Ive had been most recently putting “so much of his energy and care.”

What is LoveFrom?

LoveFrom is the name of Ive’s new company, reportedly launching in 2020.

The former Apple employee told the FT that he plans to focus on wearables and healthcare, joined by his fellow Apple designer Marc Newson.

Ive also said during the interview that the inspiration for the company name came from a Steve Jobs quote.

He said: “There was an employee meeting a number of years ago and Steve [Jobs] was talking…He [said] that one of the fundamental motivations was that when you make something with love and care, even though you probably will never meet…the people you’re making it for, and you’ll never shake their hand, by making something with care, you are expressing your gratitude to humanity, 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.”

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