Apple’s design guru Jony Ive lends his touch to Sotheby’s charity auction products

apple-gold-earpodsApple’s senior vice president for design, Jony Ive, has joined a designer friend to contribute special creations for a charity auction at Sotheby’s benefitting Bono’s PRODUCT (RED) campaign. Among the items is a pair of rose gold Apple EarPod headphones.

Ive, along with designer Marc Newson, represents a “design which is both iconic and sublime,” the musician said in a statement. Other items which received the Ive touch which will be part of the November auction: a Leica Digital Rangefinder Camera, a Steinway & Sons Grand Piano and a 2012 Range Rover…

“When you think of Jony and Marc, you think of design which is both iconic and sublime. Those two words can be applied to the unique collection of objects on the auction block this November,” said Bono.

Each bang of the hammer will be raising critical dollars to fight AIDS…by getting medication to mothers with HIV which means they will not pass the virus on to their newborns,” the singer said in a statement.

I’m loving this image, from the press release.

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For his part, Ive said his work with Newson “represents the value of thoughtful design.”

He also added:

It’s been a fantastic honor to curate this collection of objects with Marc for the auction at Sotheby’s. Each piece represents the value of thoughtful design. What we create for each other is not only a comment on our culture but of course in many ways defines it.

PRODUCT (RED) is making a difference in the lives of millions of people and we’re humbled to make this contribution to such an important and worthy cause.

Here’s a customized Steinway & Sons Unique grand piano by Jony and Marc.

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The two designers also created this Dom Pérignon Œnothèque 1966 Magnum bottle in custom red cooler.

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And finally, a customized Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni “Snoopy” lamp..

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Ive most recently put his design philosophy on display with Apple’s upcoming iOS 7.

The new iPhone, iPad and iPod touch software is marked by a flat design which removes much of the skueomorphism of past iOS versions.

Keep in mind that this isn’t Apple’s first foray into offering PRODUCT (RED) products. The company has wrapped the iPhone, iPad, as well as the iPod touch in red to celebrate the charity.

Other charity offers included a $50,000 coffee with Apple CEO Tim Cook.