Former Apple CDO Jony Ive helped design the 24-inch iMac

Famed designer Jony Ive had some input into the creation of the 24-inch iMac, though it is unclear if that was before he departed Apple or after he left the company.

Apple's major redesign of the iMac for the 24-inch M1-powered model is a striking change, and one that departs from the usual design of the well-known Mac. However, it seems that this new model had some assistance in its redesign from former Apple chief design officer Jony Ive.

In its review of the iMac, Wired said Ive had some involvement in the design of the product. It is theorized that the long process of hardware design could have meant Ive was still employed by Apple directly at its conception, if the design work started in or before 2019.

Apple said to the report Ive did work on it, but stopped short of saying whether it was before or after his departure.

Ive left Apple in late 2019, creating his own design firm called LoveFrom in 2020. Apple became LoveFrom's first client after its launch, though the actual structure of the relationship between the design firm and Apple remains a mystery.

Apple isn't LoveFrom's only client. In October, Airbnb hired the firm to work on next-generation "products and services" as a design consultant.

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74 Comments

melgross 33607 comments · 20 Years

About 3 years ago

The deal between Ives and Apple, as was reported here as in other places, was that he would do work with Apple after he left. For how long?

lam92103 145 comments · 4 Years

So is that why it only comes with 2/4 USB-C ports?

MplsP 4020 comments · 8 Years

lam92103 said:

So is that why it only comes with 2/4 USB-C ports?

The ports are my biggest/only real complaint with the new iMac. I’ve never thought that having all of the ports on the back was a good idea. Put at least one or two on the side so they’re accessible. aAnd limiting the low end Mac to just 2 ports??? It’s not a laptop; you can’t even make a half-assed space or power excuse. I’d also like to see at least one USB A port. Even 6 years after Apple declared ‘USB C is the future’ USB A is still incredibly common. My new Apple TV came with a USB A charging cable last week.

coolfactor 2332 comments · 20 Years

lam92103 said:

So is that why it only comes with 2/4 USB-C ports?

Likely based on market research where a majority of average consumers, which is the target of these new iMacs, have not needed that many USB ports. Why waste parts when they won't be used? And for those that need more, a USB hub adds more ports very easily.

MplsP said:

lam92103 said:

So is that why it only comes with 2/4 USB-C ports?

The ports are my biggest/only real complaint with the new iMac. I’ve never thought that having all of the ports on the back was a good idea. Put at least one or two on the side so they’re accessible. aAnd limiting the low end Mac to just 2 ports??? It’s not a laptop; you can’t even make a half-assed space or power excuse. I’d also like to see at least one USB A port. Even 6 years after Apple declared ‘USB C is the future’ USB A is still incredibly common. My new Apple TV came with a USB A charging cable last week.

Market pressure. Companies still selling devices with USB-A are only looking at the here and now, not the longer-term longevity of the devices. USB-C supports USB-A (via an adapter), but not the other way around, so it makes sense to provide USB-C and let consumers downgrade if they need to.