Jony Ive Gives Commencement Speech to 2021 Class at California College of Arts

At the virtual ceremony for the California College of Arts (CCA)’s graduating Class of 2021, the commencement speech was delivered by former Apple Chief of Design Sir Jony Ive — reports SHOWstudio.

Through his work at Apple and beyond, Ive has changed the way the world looks at design from creative expressionism to one of the foundational blocks of any product, technology, or discipline.

Sir Jony Ive holds honorary doctorate degrees from both CCA and Cambridge University, and currently serves as chancellor at the Royal College of Art.

In a speech that was filmed by legendary fashion photographer Nick Knight, the design guru addressed 23 undergraduate and 11 graduate degree programs across the four key disciplines of architecture, art, design, and writing.

“Being curious fuels our appetite to learn and wanting to learn is far more important than being right,” said Ive as he threw down the gauntlet, reinforcing the importance of innovation and urging the next generation of creators to imagine, and bring their imagination to life.

Throughout the 15-minute speech, Ive stressed the importance of design and creativity, and tried to illuminate the path forward for the graduates using the massive wealth of experience he has amassed.

“Without imagination, without profoundly new thinking, and potent ideas, our practice has no purpose,” he added.

Ive also addressed the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it’s had on students across the globe, and offered consolation over the fact that the graduating class could not celebrate the momentous occasion together, in the same physical space. He said:

Everyone is watching this on a screen, including me, which is quite odd. We should be together. We should be able to feel your excitement and pride. We should be able to share in your joy and in your remarkable achievement. I imagine that many of you are with people who love you and are proud of you, and that is what really matters. This gathering of family, friends, teachers and faculty, are all here to celebrate you; the graduating class of 2021.

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