Apple and former company design chief Jony Ive have ended their consulting agreement. Ive left Apple in 2019, but he and his design firm, LoveFrom, have continued to work with the Cupertino firm under a consulting agreement.
The New York Times reports Apple and Ive have agreed to stop working together, putting a more than 30-year relationship to an end. Ive had a hand in designing many of Apple’s most popular devices, including the iPhone, Apple Watch, Macs, and more. Ive also was involved in the design of many Apple retail stores.
Ive left Apple in June 2019 to found his own design firm. However, it was announced at the time that Apple would be one of Ive’s “primary clients,” as Ive would continue to do design work for the iPhone maker. Ive has since assisted the company with the design of a new 24-inch iMac and several other products.
While Apple’s contract with LoveFrom was valued at more than $100 million, the deal also restricted Ive from working on projects that Apple felt were competitive.
Ive and Apple’s final breakup was mutual, as Apple executives were questioning the amount being paid to Ive and were displeased with LoveFrom’s poaching of Apple designers. For Ive’s part, he wanted the freedom to work with his other clients without getting an okay from the Apple overlords.
