Apple's Jony Ive nearly gave up on industrial design in college
Shane ColeTom Karen and some of his more famous designs, including the Bond Bug, Raleigh Chopper, Bush TR130 radio, and Aircruiser II concept jetliner.
More than 20 years ago, renowned designer Tom Karen helped to shape Apple's future when he took on the task of talking a teenaged Jonathan Ive out of giving up on a future in industrial design.
Ive's father met Karen when the two served as judges for a student design competition. Concerned about his son's future, the elder Ive asked Karen to intervene when it appeared that Jonathan was reconsidering his choice of career, Karen recalled for the Telegraph.
"He got in touch with me a bit later and said, my son Jonathan's at university in Newcastle and is thinking about giving up his industrial design course," Karen said. "Maybe you could revive his interest?"
Karen invited the Ives to the offices of Ogle Design, the firm at which Karen served as managing director and chief designer. Under Karen, Ogle was responsible for the design of iconic 1970s British products like the Raleigh Chopper bicycle and Bond Bug three-wheeled microcar.
The tour had the desired effet, rekindling the younger Ive's interest in design. "The outcome was that Jonathan stuck to industrial design and made a huge success of it," Karen added.
Ive went on to co-found design consultancy Tangerine and was brought on as a consultant at Apple in 1992, later joining the company full-time. He was promoted to Senior Vice President of Industrial Design upon Steve Jobs's return in 1997 and is now considered of the best designers in the world, earning a knighthood in 2012 for his work.
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Thomas Sibilly
AppleInsider Staff
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45 Comments
"Victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan." —John F. Kennedy
I think this just goes to show anyone who is thinking about giving up to never give up. Doesn't matter how hard it may seem, don't ever give up and you'll eventually be rewarded. Things may seem impossible to learn at times but if you push through, you'll likely end up where you want to be. It's just that sometimes people have to work grades than others to get there and I know that can be frustrating to those that do have to work harder. I myself are glad he stayed. As much as we all think of Steve at Apple as the genius, I think Jony Ive is just as much of a genius as anyone and still continues to be to this day. When he leaves Apple, this will be nearly as big of a loss as losing Steve IMO.
I myself are glad he stayed.
Apparently you yourself constitute a plurality!
[quote name="Kibitzer" url="/t/162124/apples-jony-ive-nearly-gave-up-on-industrial-design-in-college#post_2475172"]Apparently you yourself constitute a plurality! :lol: [/quote] Sorry, didn't know the grammar police was here. :)
You can work hard at something but if you don't have the innate ability and talent you're not going to reach the peak of that field no mater how hard you try. I love football but I know I will never be in the NFL. Jony Ive has the natural talent and ability.