Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jony Ive

Discover the career path of Jony Ive, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Sir Jonathan Paul Ive, commonly known as Jony Ive, is a British-American designer renowned for his influential work at Apple Inc. As the senior vice president of industrial design and later chief design officer, he spearheaded the design of iconic products like the iPhone, iPad, and iMac. After leaving Apple, Ive founded LoveFrom, a creative collective collaborating with prominent companies such as Ferrari, Airbnb, and OpenAI. Since 2017, he has also served as chancellor of the Royal College of Art in London, further solidifying his impact on design and innovation.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1990: Apple Client of Tangerine

From 1990, Apple became a client of Tangerine.

September 1992: Joins Apple

In September 1992, Jony Ive joined Apple Inc.

1992: Investigating the future of portable computers

In 1992, Jony Ive worked on "Project Juggernaut" for Apple, investigating the future of portable computers and setting the stage for what would become the PowerBook.

1994: Voice in Apple marketing videos

Since 1994, Jony Ive's voice has been used in Apple's marketing and promotional videos.

1996: Apple was "going to make history"

In 1996, Jon Rubinstein retained Ive as an employee by explaining that Apple was "going to make history" under Jobs.

1997: Senior Vice President of Industrial Design

In 1997, Ive became the senior vice president of industrial design heading up the industrial design team responsible for most of the company's significant hardware products.

1998: Introduction of the iMac

In 1998, the iMac was introduced with Jony Ive credited with designing its translucent plastic case.

2001: Promotion to Vice President and Shaved Head

In 2001, aged 34, Jony Ive was promoted to vice president of industrial design at Apple and he first shaved his head in a tight buzzcut coupled with stubble.

January 2007: Public Phone Call with the iPhone

On 9 January 2007, Jony Ive became the first human to make a public phone call with Steve Jobs after he introduced the iPhone.

October 2012: Leadership role for Human Interface

On 29 October 2012, Apple announced that Ive would provide leadership and direction for Human Interface (HI) across the company, in addition to his role as the leader of Industrial Design.

2012: Design and development of the Apple Watch

Jony Ive led the design and development of the Apple Watch beginning in early 2012.

Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 46mm case] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminium Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant

Check it on Amazon

2014: Future Plans

In 2014, Ive stated that if his work at Apple ever became substandard, he would focus on creating things for himself and his friends.

April 2015: Release of the Apple Watch

In April 2015, the Apple Watch was released after Jony Ive led the design and development of it beginning in early 2012.

Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 46mm case] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminium Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant

Check it on Amazon

May 2015: Promotion to Chief Design Officer

On 26 May 2015, Jony Ive was promoted to chief design officer (CDO) at Apple.

2015: Chief Design Officer

In 2015, Jony Ive became the Chief Design Officer at Apple.

May 2017: Head of Royal College of Art

In May 2017, Jony Ive was invited to join the Royal College of Art as its head of college.

May 2017: Appointed Chancellor of the RCA

On 25 May 2017, Jony Ive was appointed Chancellor of the RCA in London, effective 1 July 2017, succeeding Sir James Dyson.

July 2017: Chancellor of the RCA

Effective 1 July 2017, Jony Ive served as Chancellor of the RCA in London.

December 2017: Resumed direct responsibility for product design

On 8 December 2017, Apple announced that Ive would resume direct responsibility for the company's product design.

2017: Chancellor of the Royal College of Art

In 2017, Jony Ive became the chancellor of the Royal College of Art in London.

June 2019: Launch of LoveFrom

In June 2019, Jony Ive announced the launch of his own independent firm named LoveFrom, along with fellow designer Marc Newson.

June 2019: Announcement of departure from Apple

On 27 June 2019, Apple announced that Jony Ive would depart Apple after 27 years.

July 2019: Departure from Apple

In July 2019, Jony Ive departed from Apple after 27 years with the company.

2019: Apple as a client of LoveFrom

Upon the launch of LoveFrom in 2019, Apple was a client of the company.

2021: Terra Carta Design Lab

Through Terra Carta Design Lab in 2021, Ive produced designs for Charles III.

May 2022: End of term at Royal College of Art

In May 2022, Jony Ive's five-year term as head of the Royal College of Art concluded.

July 2022: Consulting agreement with Apple ended

In July 2022, the consulting agreement between Jony Ive's company LoveFrom and Apple was ended, thus ending Ive's relationship with the company.

January 2023: Chancellor of the RCA

In January 2023, Jony Ive was still chancellor of the Royal College of Art (RCA).

2023: Projects led by Ive in 2023

In 2023, Jony Ive led the development of a foldable red nose for Comic Relief. In the same year, LoveFrom announced its own scholarship programme.

2023: Redesign of Red Nose and Coronation Emblem

In 2023, Jony Ive redesigned the Red Nose for Comic Relief's Red Nose Day, aiming to raise money for charity. Additionally, he designed the emblem for the coronation of Charles III, incorporating symbols representing the four parts of the United Kingdom in the shape of St Edward's Crown, inspired by King Charles's love of nature.

2023: Designs for Charles III Coronation

Through Charles's coronation in 2023, Ive has produced designs for Charles III.

September 2024: Launch of outerwear collection with Moncler

In September 2024, LoveFrom announced the launch of a new outerwear collection in collaboration with Moncler. In the same month, the company unveiled a new logo with the addition of a bear.

September 2024: LoveFrom Working with OpenAI

In September 2024, the New York Times reported that LoveFrom is working with OpenAI on the development of an artificial intelligence hardware device that is “less socially disruptive than the iPhone”.