Apple’s longtime chief of design, Jony Ive, is leaving the company to found his own design firm. However, Apple will be one of Ive’s “primary clients,” mean he’ll continue to be designing devices for the Cupertino firm.
Apple CEO Tim Cook in a statement said he is “looking forward to working with Jony long into the future.”
“Jony is a singular figure in the design world and his role in Apple’s revival cannot be overstated, from 1998’s groundbreaking iMac to the iPhone and the unprecedented ambition of Apple Park, where recently he has been putting so much of his energy and care,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Apple will continue to benefit from Jony’s talents by working directly with him on exclusive projects, and through the ongoing work of the brilliant and passionate design team he has built. After so many years working closely together, I’m happy that our relationship continues to evolve and I look forward to working with Jony long into the future.”
Former Ive underlings and design team leaders Evans Hankey, vice president of Industrial Design, and Alan Dye, vice president of Human Interface Design, will report to Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer.
Williams has handled the development of the Apple Watch since its inception, and will now spend more of his time working with the design team.
I’ve made a statement saying he is most proud of his “lasting work” at Apple.
“After nearly 30 years and countless projects, I am most proud of the lasting work we have done to create a design team, process and culture at Apple that is without peer. Today it is stronger, more vibrant and more talented than at any point in Apple’s history,” said Ive. “The team will certainly thrive under the excellent leadership of Evans, Alan and Jeff, who have been among my closest collaborators. I have the utmost confidence in my designer colleagues at Apple, who remain my closest friends, and I look forward to working with them for many years to come.”
There hasn’t been a specific date publicly set for Ive’s exit, as the announcement says only that he’ll be leaving Apple later this year. Ive’s new company, which will be formed in partnership with Marc Newson, is called LoveFrom.
Apple will be the firm’s first and major client, as Ive says he will still be “very involved” for “many, many years to come.” “This just seems like a natural and gentle time to make this change,” he told The Financial Times.
