Jony Ive is moving on from Apple.
Apple announced on Thursday that Ive is leaving to start his own design firm. While Apple will function as one of Ive’s “primary clients, ” he’ll be able to handle work for other firms while continuing to design for the Cupertino company.
In a statement, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that he is looking forward to working with Ive “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.”
Design team leaders Evans Hankey and Alan Dye, who are Apple’s vice presidents of Industrial Design and Human Interface Design, respectively, will now report to Jeff Williams, Apple’s Chief Operating Officer.
Williams has overseen the development of the Apple Watch since its inception, and following Ive’s departure, will spend more of his time working with the design team.
Ive offered the following comments regarding his departure:
“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’s no word as to exactly when Ive will depart Apple. In an interview with The Financial Times, Ive said his new company, created in partnership with Marc Newson, is called LoveFrom.
Apple will function as LoveFrom’s first client, the company stating that Ive will remain “very involved” for “many, many years to come.”
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via MacRumors, Apple, and Financial Times