Jonathan Ive Named Designer of the Year 275
no_demons writes "Jonathan Ive, the man behind the iMac and the iPod, has won the first Designer of the Year award from the Design Museum in London. The Independent has the scoop, and BBC2 has the documentary on Wednesday, June 11th."
Good for him!! (Score:4, Insightful)
Actaully another Apple guy was working on that (Score:2, Interesting)
http://www.rotten.com/library/bio/hackers/steve
The Woz was one of the pioneers in the universal remote kick. Im suprised someone trolling wouldnt know such basic facts....
Re:Good for him!! (Score:3, Informative)
RM-AV3000 kindly disagrees with you [sonystyle.com]
Re:Good for him!! (Score:2)
PDA (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:PDA (Score:3, Insightful)
Jason
ProfQuotes [profquotes.com]
Re:PDA (Score:2, Insightful)
He did. [apple.com]
Re:PDA (Score:5, Insightful)
According to Apple [apple.com]: "The iPod now lets you do a whole lot more in addition to maintaining your contacts, calendar and to-do lists. iPod now includes Solitaire, Brick and Parachute... iPod also includes a notes reader that lets you download text-based information and read it on the screen... The iPod features a sleep timer, so you can fall asleep to your music."
And we all know that the iPod cn act as a portable hard drive, right?
Re:PDA (Score:2)
No I do not want to install your untested closed-source software.
Not yet (Score:5, Funny)
I want to see the iRoom. With an iDesk, an iLamp, and an iSeat.
Them maybe we talk about awards and such.
Re:Not yet (Score:5, Funny)
Why the Logitech Keyboard? (Score:3, Interesting)
As we're talking about Apple design ( heh ) this is one of the things that really surprised me when first using the e - the keyboard has very clean lines, nice key size and elevation, and very satisfying tactile response. The special keys are well laid out and chosen ( even if the contrast ones don't seem to be marked? ) and it even shipp
Re:Why the Logitech Keyboard? (Score:2)
It's actually an Adesso Tru-form, not a Logitech.
Re:Why the Logitech Keyboard? (Score:2)
Re:Why the Logitech Keyboard? (Score:2)
Re:Why the Logitech Keyboard? (Score:4, Insightful)
I'm incredibly surprised to hear comments like this. All of Apple's current keyboards are ergonomic hazards, unless you perhaps have really small hands or have replaced your hands with cybernetic limbs. There is no wrist support, the keys do not bounce back well, and the keys are too close together. In the case of their keyboards, Apple has chosen form over function.
Only two Apple keyboards have ever been good enough for day-to-day usage. One was the Apple Extended Keyboard [cgu.edu] (the original, not the II), which had good tactile response, though its ergonomic features were slim-to-none. The other was the Apple Ergonomic Keyboard [acornworld.net] -- you know, the one they released in 1992 which could split into two sections and had a separate numpad. It was more ergonomic than anything MS puts out, its keys were reminescent of the early IBM clickity-clackity keyboards, and the keys had ample space between themselves. It's one of the best keyboards I've ever used, though it was a bit on the large side.
Sadly, Apple stopped making ergonomic keyboards, even though it helped to popularize their usage with the mainstream. I guess Steve has a secretary to dictate all his typing; I'm not sure why else he would be so ambivalent about the risks of CTS (I got minor nerve damage from use of the Mac Plus keyboard while in college).
Re:Why the Logitech Keyboard? (Score:2, Insightful)
Or perhaps unless you have learned to type properly. Wrist support should be a non-issue since one shouldn't be resting one's wrists to begin with. Having learned to type on an IBM Selectric, I don't particularly care for the amount of key travel or the lack of clickiness on Apple's (or most anyone else's) keyboards, (especially my iBook -- and don't get
Re:And don't forget this little ditty... (Score:3, Informative)
Apple keyboards are unsuitable for UNIX users! [oreillynet.com]
(That's just my little joke for those of you who remember that crank from about a year back!)
Re:Why the Logitech Keyboard? (Score:2)
I feel that the keyboard is the most important interface between Human and machine. In a multi-system invironment, like my basement, I want every keyboard to have the same keys in the same layout.
Re:Not yet (Score:2)
Re:Not yet (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Not yet (Score:5, Funny)
These things really emphasize the mental asylum enveloped in minimalism if you work hard enough on arranging the shit around and stealthing the cables and such out of the view.
Wood desks are so last century. The rule of thumb is: the computer environment should be at least 1/4th of the price of the hardware that sits on top and beneath it.
Re:Not yet (Score:2)
Why would you say that? You are probably going to purchase a new computer every 2-3 years, give or take... how often should you need to buy a new desk? I say spend some cash on a nice desk, that is the one thing you should be able to keep for a very long time. I bought a nice oak corner desk for about a grand, about 6 years ago, it's still in great shape, and I'm not look
Re:Not yet (Score:2)
I used to live 50 km (30') south from Brussels and it's considered as far from it
Re:Not yet (Score:3, Informative)
The Mac Table [macmice.com] could be one thing to look at...
Ralf
Erm... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Erm... (Score:2)
Re:Not yet (Score:2)
Re:Not yet (Score:2)
http://www.ikea-usa.com/product_presentation/sh
(called MOMENT)
i've owned it for the past year and a half and its a really great computer desk. it goes really well with my g4 and the glass top look nice (when i can see it). its a good size desk too, so your cinema display won't feel cramped.
not bad for $200.
Re:Not yet (Score:2)
Sometimes you need to pay for quality ... but why do I need to say that on the Apple forum? Oh, right, slashdot. Nevermind.
Re:Not yet (Score:2)
Re:Not yet (Score:2)
The BioMorph desks [biomorphdesk.com] are pretty well designed.
I'm looking at one for the home office. Anyone have any experiences with said company?
Re:Not yet (Score:2)
Re:Not yet (Score:2, Funny)
www.ikea.com
Hmmm (Score:2, Funny)
is it a wonder? (Score:4, Insightful)
Anyway, well deserved regardless. After all the attempts of copy-cat manufactures from Korea and Taiwan, nothing beats the simple and elegance of Apple products.
Re:is it a wonder? (Score:2)
That's because the award was the Designer of the Year, by given by London's Design Museum. Its awarded for all types of design, not just industrial design.
Wasn't he the guy who... (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Wasn't he the guy who... (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Wasn't he the guy who... (Score:2)
Innovative (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Innovative (Score:4, Funny)
Yeah, Alaska Airlines has totally lost its edge.
Only this year? (Score:5, Insightful)
They aren't just mindless machines that perform a task, thanks to him and apple they are elegant pieces of art and form met with function.
I mean come on, take a look at the iPod for example. It uses a radial menu -- the most efficient menu design, combined with the scroll wheel and a large LCD. It's completely intuitive, and so simple to use that it justifies the extra $100 compared with other mp3 players of it's class.
Re:Only this year? (Score:5, Insightful)
Apple doesn't understand their own designs... (Score:5, Insightful)
It seems like they're willing to throw away good design to get upgrades.
Re:Apple doesn't understand their own designs... (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Apple doesn't understand their own designs... (Score:2)
Is the scroll wheel also this way? On the touch wheel iPod I have, it's not, so they must have redesigned it. Anyway, on my revision of the hardware, the only thing that prevents the touch wheel from being "jostled" is the fact that it is surrounded by a rim of mechanical, somewhat press-resistant buttons.
Another advantage to the old-style 4-corners buttons is that I can reach in my pocket and by only knowing the orientation of the iPod (which
Re:Apple doesn't understand their own designs... (Score:2)
Apple does understand, so they revise. (Score:4, Insightful)
I'm still saving up for an iPod, but I've been reading up, asking around, and visiting my local Apple Store.
The original, circular arrangement of the iPod buttons makes for one of the most gorgeous, pure-Ive creations ever, but the outermost circle of buttons (top: menu; left: skip back; right: skip forward; bottom: play/pause) are just that, the outermost, which makes them inefficient for one-handed operation -- say, in your jacket pocket. You've got to slide your thumb (or other finger, if you like RSI) all the way across the middle of the circle to reach the other side, which (1) is too much of a stretch and (2) risks messing with the scroll wheel.
The linear arrangement of those four buttons on the new-design iPod, while not nearly as visually elegant, makes for a much more ergonomic interface. The wheel-touchpad and its center button get their own dedicated space, and the transport controls get theirs. As a user of several past Sony VCRs, I can tell you that having your transport controls separate is far more sensible than having them visually melded with, and thus placed too damned close to, a rotary control.
Actually, the "touch" buttons are harder to accidentally push than the mechanical ones. I've been told that you have to set the hold button on an original iPod just to put it in your pocket; otherwise, something gets pressed, or the scroll wheel (on the early, mechanical-wheel models) gets spun, none of which is good for uninterrupted listening. The new "touch" buttons don't trigger on contact with clothing or even an accidental brush with a finger. The touch wheel doesn't need to be guarded, and you don't have to lock it for your pocket.
The original design has a beautiful geometric simplicity, but don't mistake geometric simplicity for higher usability.
Don't get me wrong: I love the look of the original iPod, and someday I'll pick up a dead one on eBay just to hold and ogle. The thick transparent faceplate, with its sharp edges, is too gorgeous for photographs to convey. But, as with the buttons, it's not a better design.
Re:Apple does understand, so they revise. (Score:3, Insightful)
Deserved praise (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Deserved praise (Score:3, Insightful)
I have to surmise that he does hire good people. Pixar has a pretty good track record when it comes down to their movies.
While NeXT was a failure, it is interesting to note that the Nextstep OS is the basis for Mac OS X. The goal of making a UNIX based OS the basis for a consumer computer has been something the goal of the linux community.
Next article to be titled: (Score:2, Funny)
AUGH! (Score:4, Funny)
This reminds me of 19-fuckin-93, when hyperlinks were this new and kewl thing. D00D! I can make words to things! So whenever I type "iMac" I should make it link to the iMac site! KEWL! I AM MAD SKILLZ WEBMASTAR!
You guys suck. Oh, you guys suck.
Re:AUGH! (Score:2, Funny)
Here [everything2.org] is [everything2.org] a [everything2.org] site [everything2.org] you [everything2.org] will [everything2.org] really [everything2.org] hate [everything2.org].
congrats (Score:5, Insightful)
I'm glad there are still companies that care about DESIGN and the feel of something in your hand.
I was thinking of this today when I saw the ugly new Canon G5, an otherwise great camera that looks like a shrunken down 1970's rangefinder, complete with gratutious and useless chrome trim.
The best designs are MINIMAL. The best designs have no more buttons than necessary, that have a screen just large enough, that focus on small details and never add elements unless they are absolutely necessary. If they are held in the hand, they should be smooth and inviting and free of buttons to accidentally press, and not sharp or cold, which may look beautiful, but subconciously you want to avoid touching it.
Although Apple doesn't get 100% right all the time (the best designs are also EGOLESS as well as minimal, and do not draw attention to themselves) they are trying hard where most manufacturers are content to use ugly swooping plastic or cold sharp metal.
Re:congrats (Score:5, Funny)
I used images.google to find a picture of this "cannon g5" and boy, you weren't kidding [ifrance.com]! That's the least-camera-like thing I've ever seen!
Nobody told me. (Score:5, Funny)
Rigged Votes (Score:5, Insightful)
Of course this is all just as bad is the newspapers, TV stations, and websites who run these sort of garbage polls and tout them as having any sort of validity. In reality they're just calculated come-on's for for the website being used and anyone with half a clue knows to discount this sort of trivially rigged "slacktivism". Nonetheless I keep getting emails asking me to vote in blahblahblah.com's poll to show my support for #cause.
My advice is not to play sucker for these folks & their fake poles, when you come across them ask the sponsors exactly how valid they consider their results to be. Then ask if this is really the "news" they pretend or are they just being slimers, do they feel this discredits their entire operation?
Re:Rigged Votes (Score:5, Informative)
I imagine that "the public's" votes could have been over-ruled by the four person jury, which was composed of accomplished designers in their own right.
Re:Rigged Votes (Score:3, Informative)
From the Independent story:
I don't know what weighting they gave to the internet vote, but in any case Ive was the choice of the jury also. Normally in these processes, if the organisers have any sense at all, they don't give the internet portion more weight than a single juror.
Re:Rigged Votes (Score:2)
Well, see, it's like this. Al Gore hired his old friend Bill Daley ...
Sweet! (Score:2)
Mr. Ive, congratulations!
The "Dyson" computer (Score:5, Interesting)
Gotta say it (Score:5, Funny)
Skynet?
iPod meets car door (Score:5, Interesting)
I slipped my iPod in my cargo pants "leg" pocket one day as I was getting out of the car. I had totally forgotten that it was there. The car door was partly shut and locked; so, I have it a good body slam with my thigh. My iPod took it head on and it was not broken, not dented, not nuttin.
Buying quality never paid off so well. A cheap mp3 box from Radio Snack would have been flat as a pancake.
Re:iPod meets car door (Score:2, Informative)
I'm not sure if the G3 iPods are as well put-together or not. They feel a little less bulletproof to me, but maybe that's cause I'm so used to the heft of my G1 5 GB model.
Re:iPod meets car hood (Score:3, Funny)
Re:iPod meets car door (Score:3, Interesting)
Uhg... (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Uhg... (Score:4, Insightful)
Uh, no. That would be the copycats. The mongolian hordes of uninnovative, noncreative garbage who make products for the unimaginative idiot masses.
Hey... (Score:2)
Re:Uhg... (Score:2)
No, he was responsible for the iMac which countless office supply companies imitated, often badly. Blaming Ives for their existence is like blaming England's King George for G.W. Bush.
Does he deserve it? (Score:2, Interesting)
doing! (Score:2)
Re:Does he deserve it? (Score:4, Insightful)
I think most of us could create the look of a possible next Apple machine with a 3D renderer or photoshop, but then having the knowhow of materials design to implement it, while also having the guts of a computer fit, is far more a talent. It's probably the nittygritty 90% perspiration part of industrial design, and Ive is involved in the whole process.
As for whether it was ripped off someone elses sketch, I doubt anyone will ever know. Only thing for sure is Ive and his team did a great job of bringing it to reality.
Re:Does he deserve it? (Score:2)
The base of the computer was a flat black "pizza" box with a sloped top and a CD drive lid (no tray). Extending vertically was a pivot where there was affixed metal boom. One end of the boom held a counterweight and on the other end was an LCD panel. It looked about as adjustable as the present-day iMac, though probably more fragile.
Re:Does he deserve it? (Score:2)
well deserved (Score:3, Insightful)
In related news (Score:2)
What's Next? (Score:2)
For me this raises two important questions. Firstly, why doesn't Apple push the design edge further? Maybe not production models, but "concept" designs. I remember like 10 years ago Macwo
From other than Apple? ...not much (Score:2)
The key word in that question is 'box'. For most manufacturers, since they use more off-the-shelf components than Apple as an example, ID choices are limited by the least common denominator 'container'...the box that will house all those standardized components they buy from different suppliers.
With HP and Dell, the outside is dictated by more of the inside than with Apple. That, and the almighty bottom-line.
Re:From other than Apple? ...not much (Score:2)
The only "non-stock" part is the motherboard, and that is roughly the size and shape of a smallish PC motherboard. There is nothing, other than an utter lack of a hardware design department, keeping Dell or any o
Apple uses far less... (Score:3, Insightful)
Drives, RAM and cables...of course not. Motherboard...as we agree. The power supply in a new dual processor G4 is BTO from Samsung, and no other manufacturer uses it. The video cards are not PC compatible, nor do they have identical feature sets or ROMs. Lesser commonality means more cost. An aluminum laptop... Who else? Titanium...no one.
No other manufacturer will spend the money for proprietary connectors, switches, tooling, fasteners. most expensive cartons and low yield assembly
Re:Apple uses far less... (Score:2)
Your original post implied that the limiting factor was finding a standard "box" in which to put a handful of "standard" components.
"With HP and Dell, the outside is dictated by more of the inside than with Apple".
I stand by my refutation: There is nothing in an Apple case that is measurably different, in size and design, than in a Dell, at least n
nice try (Score:2)
Nice try to use your lack of position to debate me with, but I'm not biting. Thanks for taking a run at me...try again when you've got a point.
Re:nice try (Score:2)
"Thanks for taking a run at me...try again when you've got a point."
Pardon, but my point is, as I've stated: there is nothing, from a physical standpoint (i.e. the components "inside the box"), that keeps Dell from making a Mac-like machine.
Re:What's Next? (Score:3, Interesting)
Ive never actually was a "bleeding edge" designer. He was always a conservatist - iMacs, G3 and G4, were revolutionary but at the same moment they were oddly familiar - like if you saw something like this before and always wanted to have one.
The one most likely to be "pushing an edge" was Hartmut Esslinger from the frogdesign company, responsible for the earliest Macs (Classic, SE etc.). This period of Apple design ended up in a disaster of the
Re:What's Next? (Score:2)
I think it's for the same reason that most of the cars produced in the last 15 years look so similar. Distinctive design tends to polarise people - those who like it like it a lot, while those who don't, hate it. Large manufacturers have tended to take the conservative approach with lower risk, even when a higher-risk approach might have brought higher rewards.
That said, there are certainly a number of companies producing funct
Why concept designs don't get out the door (Score:2)
Nice website (Score:2)
Headline for dyslexic people? (Score:3, Funny)
Name? (Score:4, Funny)
I nominate... (Score:3, Funny)
for design of the year. It really makes everything around it look so much better.
Re:I nominate... (Score:2)
What about the engineers? (Score:3, Interesting)
Why don't the engineers who fit the stuff into these designs get any credit? Sure he comes up with a neat good looking idea, but it takes a hell of a lot more than a good idea to make a sucessful product. Someone actually needs to implement it and make it possible. I really doubt it was easy to fit a full computer inside the iMac base w/o a fan. Kudos to the 'geers.
Johhny Ive.. (Score:3, Interesting)
..is British (from Stafford), and not a bad drummer. Don't know if he still plays. My then drummer had bought his kit off him. Apple nabbed him in the very early nineties (or possibly the late eighties even), and dragged him off to the US. Prior to Apple, he was working for a design studio, in London I think.
-- Steve
Missing ingredient in Windows PCs (Score:2)
Tell that to the guy who did the Lara Croft case mod!
Re:Personally (Score:2)
In an normal office environment, things like appearance don't make much difference. But if you spend thousands decorating your home, why not spend money so that your computer looks good too?
Re:Ive Doesn`t Understand Computing !!! (Score:3, Insightful)
As for expansion ports, that was probably a decision that Steve Jobs and the engineering team had influence too. Expansion ports are almost against the idea of the iMac: all-in-one computer. Since most