Apple design master Jonathan Ive awarded British knighthood

That's Sir Jony Ive to you.

As of the new year Apple's head of design, Jonathan Ive, will be a knight of the British Empire. The London-born engineer has been the lead designer at Apple for more than 15 years and grew to become the "spiritual partner" of the company late co-founder Steve Jobs, according to Jobs himself.

The two collaborated on creating the look and feel of Apple's many successful consumer electronics products.

Reached by the BBC about the honor, Ive reportedly said it was "absolutely thrilling."

"I am keenly aware that I benefit from a wonderful tradition in the U.K. of designing and making," he said. "I discovered at an early age that all I've ever wanted to do is design."

As described in a Times profile earlier this year, Ive is responsible for the look of Apple's iPod music player, the iPhone and the iPad tablet, all blockbuster products in their own categories.

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-- David Sarno

Photo: Jonathan Ive of Apple in Cupertino, Calif., in 2008.  Credit: Paul Sakuma / Associated Press