When the iPhone was launched in 1997, we all marveled the sleek and cool look of the phone; the design was new, but we just forgot to give credit to the one who designed it. When the 3G version was launched in 2008 we still were oblivious of the one who conceptualized the design. Ask this question to yourself, Will Apple be where it is today without Steve Jobs and Jonathan Ive? The answer, whatever it is, will be very much debatable. However, the fact remains that the contribution of these seemingly quiet and cool characters basically is the source of resurrection for this repulsive and ambitious organization. Jonathan Ive Joined Apple in 1992, the time Apple was in decline having lost its clear sense of identity and purpose.

The appointment of Jonathan Ive as the Director of Industrial Design in 2006 and the subsequent return of Steve Jobs in 1997 marked the turning point in the history of Apple. This was the time design and innovation became an important part of the Apple Empire. The perfectionist outlook of Steve Jobs and the competent strokes of Jonathan Ive was about to bring many international awards. This year Apple has won its 13th International Design Award for enthralling and providing the world with many innovative products.

Born in London, Jonathan Ive studied design and art at Northumbria University (Newcastle University then) and co-founded London based design Consultancy Tangerine in 1989. He worked basically on any products ranging from plastic comb, wash basins to power tools for clients across the world, Apple was one of the clients. Impressed with his concept of PowerBook, Brunner the then Director of Industrial Design at Apple invited Jonathan was invited to join Apple. He has been with Apple since 1992 designing away and collecting awards year after year. In 2005  Jonathan Ive was appointed the Senior Vice-President of Design in recognition of his achievement and dedication.

Designs of Jonathan Ives: The listed products are some of the products that Apple produced after the coming of Jonathan Ive to Apple Inc.

1. Launch of iMac in 1998. A record of 2 million unit sale was reported the same year.
2. Apple introduced iBook, the 22” Cinema Display, PowerMac Tower and iSub in 1999.
3. Apple’s G4 Cube was launched in 2000.
4. Titanium PowerBook G4 and the most acclaimed MP3 player iPod came out in 2001.
5. The new 15”×17” floating screens iMac came out in 2002. eMac, iMac version for use in Education sector was launched in the same year.
6. In 2003, Apple launched the world’s slimmest and the lightest notebook computer, the 12” PowerBook and the 17” PowerBook. This won the Design Museum’s first Designer of the Year Prize.
7. Multi colored iPod mini and ultra-slim iMac G5 came out in 2004.
8. iMac mini was launched in 2005.
9. The first generation iPhone came out in 2007. (This won the International Design Excellence gold Award, 2008)
10. The 3G iPhone was launched in 2008.

The fame and creativity of Jonathan Ive was recognized with the launch of the iMac in 1998. This was a project in which Jobs gave him the freedom to create. It was basically his idea to club the CRT and the CPU into one unit and we got the all in one computer, iMac.Though Apple has gone through most trying times, where things weren’t good, it managed to season itself into one of the unbeaten leaders in technology. It too has seen unsuccessful launches of products, faced lawsuits and seen other worst things yet it still stood as a company. Well, the reason for it is not far to seek. The dedication, in-depth knowledge, amazing team work of the workforce is all behind the making of ‘fit and finish’ products in Apple. Jonathan Ive is not an exception. This champion designer has always been a winner; having won awards one after the other right from his days in Newcastle Polytechnic. In 2006 he was awarded Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE). This year’s International Design Excellence Awards in which Apple backed four titles for the original iPhone, MacBook Air, Bluetooth Keyboards and for the redesigned iMac adds more fame to this already famous but meek and quiet designer.

What makes Jonathan’s Designs unique?
For Jonathan, functionality, look and feel and usability are all embedded in the design itself. Apple as a company under the rein of Steve Jobs upholds this concept. In Apple the error of placing a screw or port in the wrong place or for no use is an offense that can evoke termination of service. This is the perfection level that Jonathan has in his blood. In all apple products, you will find no cavity without function, no handle just for the sake of mobility, no extra buttons for the sake of style or good looks, no extra screws and so on. The Mac Computers, the iPod, the iPhone and all products from Apple are examples of this uniqueness and greatness of design. The futuristic thought of Steve Jobs and the uncompromising designing skill of Jonathan are the secrets of Apple’s success.