What Happened to Sir Jonathan Paul Ive?
Sir Jony Ive, the renowned designer behind many of Apple's most iconic products, departed the company in 2019 to establish his independent design firm, LoveFrom. Since then, he has expanded his influence into diverse sectors, notably becoming a billionaire in 2025 after his AI hardware startup, io, was acquired by OpenAI, where he now leads design for future AI devices while continuing collaborations with luxury brands like Ferrari through LoveFrom.
Quick Answer
Jony Ive, the legendary designer who shaped Apple's most iconic products, left Apple in 2019 to found LoveFrom, a creative collective. Through LoveFrom, he has undertaken design projects for clients such as Airbnb, Moncler, and Ferrari, including the interior of Ferrari's first electric car, the Luce. In a significant move in May 2025, Ive's AI hardware startup, io, was acquired by OpenAI for $6.5 billion, making him a billionaire and placing him at the helm of design for OpenAI's future AI hardware, with a smart speaker device expected in 2027.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline17 events
Born in Chingford, London, England
Jonathan Paul Ive was born in Chingford, London, and later moved to Stafford at age 12.
Joined Apple Inc.
Ive joined Apple as a full-time employee after working as a consultant.
Launched the iMac
Working closely with Steve Jobs, Ive played a vital role in the design of the groundbreaking iMac, which helped revive Apple.
Promoted to Chief Design Officer (CDO) at Apple
Apple announced Ive's promotion to Chief Design Officer, making him one of only three C-level executives at the time.
Assumed office as Chancellor of the Royal College of Art
Ive began a fixed five-year term as the head of the Royal College of Art, an academic administrative role.
Announced departure from Apple
Apple announced that Sir Jony Ive would depart the company later that year to form his own independent design company, LoveFrom.
Founded LoveFrom
Ive co-founded LoveFrom, a creative collective, with fellow designer Marc Newson, initially counting Apple as a client.
LoveFrom partnered with Exor and Ferrari
LoveFrom announced a multi-year partnership with Exor and Ferrari to collaborate on creative projects in the luxury sector, including Ferrari's first electric car.
Apple ended consulting agreement with LoveFrom
The consulting agreement between Apple and LoveFrom was mutually terminated, ending Ive's formal relationship with Apple.
Designed King Charles III's Coronation Emblem and Comic Relief Red Nose
LoveFrom designed the emblem for King Charles III's coronation and a new foldable, plant-based red nose for Comic Relief.
Founded AI venture io
Jony Ive founded io, an AI hardware startup, with former Apple colleagues Scott Cannon, Evans Hankey, and Tang Tan.
LoveFrom Moncler collection launched
LoveFrom launched a new outerwear collection in collaboration with Italian luxury fashion brand Moncler, featuring modular garments.
OpenAI acquired io for $6.5 billion
OpenAI announced the acquisition of Ive's AI hardware startup, io, for $6.5 billion, making Ive a billionaire and bringing him into a key design role for OpenAI's hardware.
Appointed Trustee of the British Museum
Ive was appointed as a trustee of the British Museum, further expanding his involvement in cultural institutions.
Ferrari Luce interior revealed
Ferrari revealed the interior and interface design of its first electric car, the Ferrari Luce, which was designed by LoveFrom.
LoveFrom unveiled Christie's rostrum
LoveFrom designed and unveiled a new oak rostrum for Christie's auction house, replacing a historic Thomas Chippendale design.
Ferrari Luce fully unveiled
More than five years after the partnership began, Ferrari unveiled the completed Luce, its first electric car designed by LoveFrom.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Sir Jonathan Paul Ive, born February 27, 1967, is a British-American industrial designer best known for his transformative work at Apple Inc. He joined Apple in September 1992 and rose to prominence as Senior Vice President of Industrial Design, later becoming Chief Design Officer in 2015. Working closely with co-founder Steve Jobs, Ive was instrumental in designing products that redefined consumer technology, including the iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
Ive's departure from Apple in July 2019, after 27 years, was a significant turning point. Reports suggested his exit was influenced by a changing company culture under CEO Tim Cook, a sense of burnout, and a desire to focus on new personal projects beyond Apple's product development, particularly after dedicating considerable energy to Apple Park. Upon leaving, Ive founded LoveFrom, an independent design firm, with longtime collaborator Marc Newson. Apple initially became LoveFrom's primary client, though this consulting agreement concluded in July 2022.
Since its inception, LoveFrom has cultivated a diverse portfolio of high-profile clients and projects. The collective, which includes a team of around 60 designers, architects, and creatives, has collaborated with Airbnb on redesigning its core products and services (Source: Airbnb, 2020), and entered a multi-year partnership with Exor and Ferrari in September 2021. This collaboration led to LoveFrom designing the interior and interface of the Ferrari Luce, Ferrari's first electric car, which was revealed in February 2026 and fully unveiled in May 2026. Other notable projects include a modular outerwear collection for Moncler launched in September 2024, a limited-edition Linn Sondek LP12 turntable in 2023, the King Charles III coronation emblem in 2023, a redesigned Comic Relief red nose, and a rostrum for Christie's auction house unveiled in March 2026.
A pivotal development in Ive's post-Apple career occurred in 2024 when he co-founded an AI hardware startup named io, alongside former Apple colleagues Scott Cannon, Evans Hankey, and Tang Tan. In May 2025, OpenAI announced its acquisition of io for an estimated $6.5 billion. This acquisition propelled Ive into billionaire status, with his estimated net worth reaching $2 billion by August 2026, largely due to his approximately 11% stake in io. As part of the deal, Ive and LoveFrom assumed creative and design responsibilities across OpenAI's operations, with Ive taking a leading role in designing next-generation AI hardware devices. A smart speaker with a camera, described as a pocket-sized and contextually aware device, is reportedly in development with an expected launch in 2027, aiming to be a 'peaceful' and 'joyful' active participant in users' lives.
As of August 2026, Jony Ive continues to lead LoveFrom as an independent entity, while also deeply engaged with OpenAI's ambitious hardware initiatives. He also serves as Chancellor of the Royal College of Art in London since 2017 and was appointed a trustee of the British Museum in June 2025. His current work reflects a continued dedication to minimalist design principles applied to emerging technologies and luxury experiences, solidifying his legacy as one of the most influential designers of his generation.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Sir Jonathan Paul Ive made different choices?