Random thoughts on "A conversation with Jony Ive"

Deeply insightful reflection on design, technology, and purpose, drawing from a conversation with Jony Ive.

The discussion with Jony Ive highlights a crucial perspective: that design, and indeed creation in technology, should transcend objectives solely “driven by money and power”. Ive eloquently articulates a different “north star” rooted in “foundational values” and a purpose to “serve the species”, striving to “enable and inspire people” and even “sincerely elevate the species”.

Jony’s principles are profoundly applicable to our craft, extending beyond physical products to the very nature of how we develop and deliver software. Much like being a “toolmaker”, our work is about building solutions designed to move things forward, expressing the “essence of something and its purpose” through simplicity, achieved through working “wonderfully efficiently”.

Jony speaks compellingly about infusing work with love and care. This care, even in the smallest details, allows users to “sense care” and feel that “somebody gave a shit about me”. It’s a way of expressing “gratitude to the species”. As developers, we can embody this principle. Every line of code, every commit, is an opportunity to express this care – not just for the end user, but for our colleagues.

The principle of “finishing the inside of products,” even the unseen parts, serves as a powerful reminder that caring for the underlying structure and cleanliness of our code matters immensely. It’s a “powerful marker of who we truly are”. This internal discipline is also fundamental to caring for each other within the team, fostering trust and demonstrating respect by making our work clear and understandable. It’s a way of treating one another as collaborators and humans, not simply as functional components in a process.

This conversation has reinforced my belief that our role in technology comes with an “obligation and a responsibility to care for each other”. Jony Ive’s perspective is truly inspiring, guiding my practice towards building not just functional software, but products crafted with purpose, care, and a genuine commitment to enabling and inspiring others.