Apple Designer Jony Ive Knighted
Jony Ive, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Industrial Design, was appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE). He joins the ranks of Bono and Bill Gates, and earns the right to be called Sir Jony.
According to the New York Times, Ive was recognized by Queen Elizabeth for his contributions to the design of the iPod, iPhone, and iPad.
The honor, which will be conferred by the Queen tapping a sword to each of Ive’s shoulders, was part of the New Year 2012 Honours List.
“I am keenly aware that I benefit from a wonderful tradition in the UK of designing and making,” said Jony Ive. “To be recognized with this honour is absolutely thrilling and I am both humbled and sincerely grateful.”
“I discovered at an early age that all I’ve ever wanted to do is design,” Ive added. ” I feel enormously fortunate that I continue to be able to design and make products with a truly remarkable group of people here at Apple.”
The British Consul General in San Francisco, Priya Guha, said she was “delighted that Jony Ive has been granted this exceptional honour by Her Majesty The Queen. Through his design of the iMac, iPod, iPhone and iPad, his work has transformed the lives of a generation of people, revolutionising the way people interact with technology. He epitomizes the strengths of British design and innovation.”
Though it is doubtful his new title will see much use in Apple’s relaxed workplace, Ive’s position with the company remains critically important, particularly since the death of Steve Jobs.
[Photo Courtesy: Engadget]