8th August 2007
This 1998 design for the Apple iMac computer was designed by Ive and his team at Apple computers. He headed Apple’s design department since 1996 and worked in his own design group; ‘Tangerine’ in London before that. Ive stated that his intention was ‘to design for individuals rather than ‘large unfocussed groups’. The translucent shell allows the inside to be seen and the mass of wires usually seen at the back of computer units has been ‘designed-away’
Apple’s marketing in the fierce arena of computer technology is a great example of the impact that design can have on sales. Over 2 million units were sold in the first year in which the colourful designs were introduced and heralded a change by others in the market from the ubiquitous, monotonous grey and beige products that were established as the norm for computer equipment.
How great a compliment can it be for a designer to have created a design icon such as the Apple Mac – but how great is it for a designer to create yet another design icon in the ’iPod’. Created by Ive in 2001 – and a necessity and benchmark for similar products over the last few years in the product market at which it was aimed.
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