Jonathan Ive on Apple
iMac 1998
iBook 1999 + PowerMacG4
iSub + Cinema Display
PowerMac G4 Cube + Pro Mouse
Titanium PowerBook G4 + iBook 2001
iPod + eMac
iMac 2002
PowerBook G4 2003
Jonathan Ive's Biography
Apple iSub, 1999
iSub - 1999
The function of a subwoofer is largely defined by two components: a transducer and air. We developed a simple narrative expressing the functional principles of the subwoofer - succinctly describing function defined the product’s identity. The design was conceived and developed as a wind instrument sensitive to the needs of sound to flow with minimal resistance. The form, a single convoluted surface, was finally defined by revolving a single line.
Apple Cinema Display, 1999
Cinema Display - 1999
To suspend and protect the display module we developed a plastic part with a substantial volume the final form of which appears to be machined rather than moulded. This marked a departure from our approach with the iMac where we had intentionally developed plastic surfaces, rather than mass or volume. After multiple tests and experiments the final tool was constructed from stainless steel and hand polished to a mirror finish. Its successful moulding contradicted nearly every conventional principle of injection moulding.
AC Power Adapters - 1999
Our first Power Adapter emphatically addressed the problems of cable management. As part of the first iBook system the solution was expressive and largely defined the entire design. With the subsequent product we developed an optional, less prescriptive solution for cable management and also defined a system to incorporate different country AC modules and an extension cord. Another innovation was to include light indicators in the actual connector to describe charging status. On charge completion the DC connector changes from amber to green.
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