iPod designer gets into Who's Who

Jonathan Ive, the UK designer credited with helping revitalise Apple's fortunes, has been awarded a place in Who's Who - the UK's biographical record of the great and the good.

Ive is Apple's senior vice president of design. Born in North London, he joined Apple in 1992, and led the industrial design team that created the look for the iMac, whose translucent colours and attractive curves have made it a design classic. He subsequently led the design of the Power Mac, the iBook and the iPod digital music player.

Who's Who has traditionally contained information about leading figures in society, both UK-based and worldwide, from aristocrats and politicians to academics and businessmen. Its publisher, A & C Black Publishers, claims "an invitation to appear in Who's Who recognises distinction and influence", either because "their prominence is inherited, or depending on office, or the result of ability which singles them out from their fellows". Ive's inclusion is presumably thanks to the latter condition.

Reportedly keen to shun the limelight, Ive was recognised with the award of a CBE in the 2006 New Year Honours list. He was also named "Designer of the Year" by London's Design Museum in 2003 and 2004.

Graeme Wearden writes for ZDNet UK