Over 20 years ago, renowned designer Tom Karen helped to shape Apple’s future when he took on the task of talking a teenaged Jonathon Ive out of giving up on a future in industrial design. Ive’s father met Karen when the two served as judges for a student design competition. Concerned about his son’s future, the elder Ive asked Karen to intervene when it appeared that Jonathon was reconsidering his choice of career according to The Telegraph.

Karen said the following regarding the matter:

Karen invited the Ives to the offices of Ogle Design, the firm at which Karen served as a managing director and chief designer. Under Karen, Ogle was responsible for the design of iconic 1970s British products like the Raleigh Chopper bicycle and Bo.ng bug three-wheeled micro car. The tour had the desired effect, rekindling the younger Ive’s interest in design. Karen added the following regarding the matter:

Ive went on to co-find the design consultancy Tangerine and was brought on as a consultant at Apple in 1992, later joining the company full-time. He was promoted to Senior Vice President of Industrial Design upon Steve Jobs’ return in 1997 and is now considered one of the best designers in the world, earning a knighthood in 2012 for his work.

Source: The Telegraph