Apple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive Leaves The Company

As it turns out, Apple’s Chief Design Officer, Jony Ive is leaving Apple to join his own independent design company. He’ll still work with Apple with projects and as the company’s primary clients while keeping up with his personal projects.

To begin with, Apple CEO Tim Cook has something to say about Ive’s departure. He says that,

“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.”

Cook and Ive has been working together for 3 decades. Jony Ive made a significant difference to the design concepts of everything Apple, such as the AirPods, the iPhone, the first iMac and many more. The designer will continue to pass on his work after his departure from Apple, for many years to come.

The Design team leaders Evans Hanley, VP of Industrial Design and Alan Dye, VP of Human Interface Design, will now report to Apple COO Jeff Williams. These design leaders were integral to the roles of Apple’s design team for many years. Contrary to the point, Williams also led the development of the original Apple Watch in 2015 and he’ll start focusing more on his design team in the studio.

Ive gives a statement about his resignation from Apple. He states that,

“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.”

Altogether, Jony will still work closely with Apple in executive projects and as its client. He revolutionized the company’s culture from the first iMac to the latest iPhone. We hope Ive leaves a mark on the best Apple products for the future.