It has been just over two years since Jony Ive, Apple’s former design chief, left the company. However, the individual and the company didn’t completely separate ties, with a consultancy formed between the two almost immediately afterward. But even that has come to an end.
As first reported by The New York Times, Apple and Jony Ive have ended their consultancy agreement. This effectively ends the relationship between the former design lead and Apple, which had been going strong for more than 30 years up to this point. But, as some might say, everything’s eventual, and perhaps this has always been obvious in the tea leaves.
Ive, of course, has been with Apple for some of the most important moments in the company’s history. And, to that end, he’s also been in charge of designing some of the most iconic products in the company’s roster. That includes the iPhone, several Mac models, the Apple Watch, and even physical Apple Stores.
The former design lead decided to leave Apple quite some time ago. However, it was only made officially official in June of 2019. After that, Ive formed his own design firm called LoveFrom. At the time, he also confirmed that he’d still be working with Apple in the new role at the new firm, which seemed like an obvious move on his end (and Apple’s, for that matter).
That consultancy agreement included a working contract that was worth upwards of $100 million, which put Apple LoveFrom’s primary client. The two companies were originally planning to renew that contract, but apparently opted not to go that route. And, as a result, the working relationship has come to an end.
This is a huge moment in Apple’s, and Ive’s, history.