Former Chief Design Officer (CDO) of Apple Jony Ive ends his partnership with Apple following his exit from the Cupertino-based giant in 2019. His design firm LoveForm no longer cooperates with Cupertino.
Following the 2019 exit from Apple after almost three decades at the company, Ive founded a design firm called LoveForm with fellow designer Marc Newson where Apple would be its main client. On Tuesday, The New York Times reported that both companies ended their $100 million contract deal without any renewal.
The Times notes that part of the reason for ending the contract is Ive’s restrictions from Apple to work with the company’s competitors. The firm was limited in opening up to other companies about projects in development, such as the upcoming augmented reality headset.
“The deal restricted Mr. Ive from taking on work that Apple found competitive and ensured that the designer would inform the development of future products, such as an augmented-reality headset that it is expected to ship next year, the people said.”
Apple is rumored to be in the development of a VR/AR glasses/headset that will be the latest and priciest addition to the Apple family of products like the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.
It is uncertain to what type of headset it will be (VR or AR), some reports are noting that the device could feature Mixed-Reality and a subscription service.
Another reason for the failed renewal of the contract is Apple executives questioned the amount of money paid to Ive’s firm and had grown frustrated following several of its designers defecting from the company to LoveForm.
“In recent weeks, with the contract coming up for renewal, the parties agreed not to extend it. Some Apple executives had questioned how much the company was paying Mr. Ive and had grown frustrated after several of its designers left to join Mr. Ive’s firm. And Mr. Ive wanted the freedom to take on clients without needing Apple’s clearance, these people said.”
Jony Ive worked at Apple from 1992 to 2019, designing the iMac G3 and taking the first phone call with late CEO Steve Jobs on the iPhone 2G in 2007. Ive finally became Senior Vice President of Design at the company overlooking iOS 7 onwards.
Sad. He was a great designer.