Apple on Thursday announced that it’s chief design officer, Sir Jony Ive will be departing the company as an employee later this year.
TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Ive is departing Apple to form an independent design company which will count Apple among its primary clients.
“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.
“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,” said Ive.
Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984.
Today, Apple, with more than 100,000, leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV.
Apple’s four software platforms – iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS – provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices, with services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud.
In a statement, Apple said, while Ive pursues his personal projects, he will in his new company continue to work closely and on a range of projects with Apple.
“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.
“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,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.