Desert Island Ive: What Apple's design legend reveals when stripped of the corporate context

I know we've all seen enough Apple case studies to last several lifetimes, but yesterday I stumbled across a different kind of case study format - courtesy of a media brand that’s been running since before your parents met.

Desert Island Discs started as a BBC radio programme in 1942, asking guests to choose eight tracks, a book, and a luxury item to take to their imaginary island exile. The format has remained largely unchanged for 80+ years. Sometimes the best designs need little iteration.

Speaking of design, this week's episode features Jony Ive, Apple's former Chief Design Officer.

There's something refreshing about his manner - no bombast, just thoughtful reflection on craft, detail, and elevating the unheard. Plus a great selection of songs.

A couple of quotes that jumped out:

“ I struggle with being present in the now because I spend so much of my life in my head in the future. The way I try to understand the future is I’m obsessed with the past. And so the bit that often gets missed out is right now.”

“When you struggle, then a goal can become just commercial issues. I understand — I mean, if you’re losing lots of money, you’d like to stop losing lots of money. The problem there is it means you focus on money, and you’re normally losing money because the products aren’t right. And [at Apple] from ’92 to ’97, it was a very, very difficult season. One that I am so grateful for — but I still get the shivers sometimes.”

As Ive talks with Lauren Laverne, the conversation shifts from design principles to his formative years, and to his education. He's the son of two teachers, and his father played a crucial role in ensuring Design & Technology became part of the UK national curriculum.

But what really resonated was how Ive felt marginalized in school - struggling with conventional academics while his creative talent went unrecognized.

It's a story that still plays out today: not just in school, but in university and workplace learning too. The most innovative thinking often comes from those who don't fit neatly into our rigid learning boxes. But just as importantly, the right conditions can enable anyone to be creative and innovative.

When we create environments that allow all the different types of genius to emerge, that's when magic can happen. It’s just a question of design.

Whether you're into tech, design, education innovation, or just enjoy a format that gets beneath the surface, this one delivers. Give it a listen - on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts.

P.S. There's a surprising song twist that makes this episode unique - but I won't spoil that for you.