Jonathan Ive is Pushing for a More 'Flat Design' to iOS 7

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Posted March 21, 2013 at 9:29pm by iClarified

Jonathan Ive, who is Apple's Senior Vice President of Industrial Design and now responsible for Human Interface, is pushing for a more 'flat design' to iOS 7, reports the WSJ.

In the past, most of the iOS designers were cut out of the loop on specifics relating to the hardware of the devices they were designing for. On prototype projects, Ive used a stealth group of software developers. However, that is slowing starting to change, says the Journal.

The Human Interface team led by Greg Christie is being briefed about industrial prototypes earlier. A source described the change as "a thawing". Ive now sits in on the team's review sessions to vet new designs and despite Christie being a blunt talker the sessions are described as "pleasant and cordial".

Some suggested that in Apple’s next mobile operating system, Ive is pushing a more “flat design” that is starker and simpler, according to developers who have spoken to Apple employees but didn’t have further details. Overall, they expect any changes to be pretty conservative. For the past few years, Apple has unveiled versions of its mobile operating system in the summer.

Last year, Apple pushed out iOS SVP Scott Forstall and combined the Mac and iOS software teams under SVP Craig Federighi. According to employees, Federighi is keeping the teams separate for now but there is a lot of overlap. For example, there are two teams working on Calendar. It's expected that some reorganization will happen this summer.

You can check out a recent iOS 7 concept video here that has some flatter design elements.

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Jonathan Ive is Pushing for a More 'Flat Design' to iOS 7

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mavrik101 - March 23, 2013 at 3:36pm

The past few years the Talk was all about 3D. A 3D appearance to OSX and to iOS... Jony wants to revert to the 70's? FLAT - TILES - of WINDOWS? Whatelse - the use of Helvetica too?

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NoGoodNick - March 22, 2013 at 6:00pm

Great, he's pushing on even LESS innovation, just as Apple is facing ever increasing competition from other sources (Samsung) offering MORE new features. I think it's time for Apple to let I've go!

samp1800 - March 26, 2013 at 11:58pm

this is a report... reports like these make people think this is the real truth and wrong thoughts. what if jony ive isnt doing this? dont jump to conclusions yet.

asd - March 22, 2013 at 1:19pm

what a jerk

JK - March 22, 2013 at 11:21am

what is flat design

saul - March 22, 2013 at 3:17pm

A boring one.

John Sprm - March 21, 2013 at 10:34pm

Why phones look like iPhones ? What happened to palm blackberry & flip phones ? All phones want to be square and flat like a tortilla smh

Asfand - March 21, 2013 at 10:04pm

This guy will thing different!!!!!

Lee - March 21, 2013 at 9:57pm

Apple need to get IOS 7 very soon because the iPhone is getting boring. I have been with iPhone for yeas iPhone 5 now but I thinking of getting samsung s4.... Apple sort that outdated locking screen

tommyy - March 22, 2013 at 1:36am

Stability is most important. Apple's lock screen design is great also it allows to change background picture. Nothing wrong. It can be like this for decade. You can switch to android phone and then windows phone and blackberry when you are bored on those lock screen.

Culua - March 22, 2013 at 2:06am

So your willing to pay top dollars to upgrade to new phone just to have couple addons?

mavrik101 - March 23, 2013 at 3:46pm

Apple is faithful to its iOS... if all you are interested in is EYE CANDY to inspired you to use your iPhone, hack it and add all the candy your sweet tooth needs. Apples straight forward simple design SHOULD be CONTINUED... and not to do anything radical to iOS. Otherwise, the competition will walk in where Apple left and claim territory or ownership. iOS is the simplest OS ever. Easy for a 2 year old to use and simple enough for a 99 year old to grasp. But Flat Design -- What in terms of Graphics? Over simplified and over used Helvetica? Jony, it sounds like cleansing the dimensional look to bore these unhappy hungry candy monsters to flee from Apple for good. Is this your plan Jony?