Apple's Chief Designer Jonathan Ive has been named as the new Chancellor for the Royal College of Art, replacing his role with Sir James Dyson as of July 2017. Announced today in a press release sent by the RCA, his honorary role is defined as the head of the College, presiding over meetings of the Court, a member of its governing body, Council, and conferring degrees at Convocation. 

"Baroness Gail Rebuck remains Chair of Council and becomes Pro-Chancellor of the university. The posts of Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor are non-salaried," stated the RCA.

In this role, Ive's position takes a radical stance for the RCA's evolution, considering its dynamic efforts on education and research as a STEAM-focused postgraduate university - the RCA expands its research and knowledge exchange centres into the domains of computer and materials science, the impact of the digital economy, advanced manufacturing and intelligent mobility. 

Within this five-year term, Ive will advise the College during a period of expansion, embodied in the construction of a new building at Battersea, scheduled to open in 2020.

"I am thrilled to formalise my relationship with the RCA, given the profound influence the College has had on so many of the artists and designers that I admire," said Jony Ive. 

"Our design team includes many RCA alumni, who embody the fundamental values of the College. I look forward to advising both the College and students, hoping that my experience proves useful in their work," he added.

Ive is the Chief Design Officer at Apple reporting to CEO Tim Cook - Apple is widely recognised as the world’s most innovative and most admired company. He is responsible for the look and feel of all Apple products, from hardware and packaging to the user interface, as well as major architectural projects including the company’s new campus in California, known as Apple Park.

Paul Thompson, Rector of the Royal College of Art, commented, "we are delighted to welcome Sir Jony Ive as our new Chancellor. It is a great honour to be joined by the world’s leading designer of his generation, who has produced consistently innovative and commercially successful technology and design. As Chancellor, Jony embodies the RCA’s ideals of technology and design excellence, inspiring students and staff, and enabling us to educate the next generation of world-leading artists and designers."

Ive, who holds over 5,000 patents, received an honorary doctorate from the RCA, conferred in 2009.  He was awarded a CBE in 2006 and a KBE in the 2012 New Year’s Honours list.  Among others, Ive also holds honorary doctorates from both Oxford and Cambridge Universities. In 2012, D&AD named Ive and his team the Best Design Studio of the past 50 years.

Ive has led the design team at Apple since 1996 and has been responsible for many of Apple’s most popular and influential products, including iPhone, iPod, iPad, MacBook and Apple Watch.  Embodying Apple’s founding intention to make great products, Ive’s designs are celebrated internationally for their trademark elegance, simplicity and attention to detail.

Top image courtesy of Apple

> via The RCA