Jony Ive, lead designer of iPhone, iPad, and more, leaving Apple

After almost 27 years with the company, Chief Design Officer Sir Jonathan “Jony” Ive will transition out of Apple starting later this year. Ive will transition to LoveFrom, his new creative business venture launching sometime in 2020.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Ive said he’ll remain “very involved” at Apple and hopes to remain involved over time. “This just seems like a natural and gentle time to make this change,” said Ive.

Apple CEO Tim Cook called the change an “evolution.” Cook also said Apple’s current group of in-house designers is “the strongest it’s ever been.”

“We get to continue with the same team that we’ve had for a long time and have the pleasure of continuing to work with Jony. I can’t imagine a better result.”

As for what’s next, there won’t be an immediate successor to take Ive’s title of Chief Design Officer. Not much is known yet about LoveFrom, though Ive said he’ll continue to work on wearable technology and healthcare. Ive will also work on “personal passions.”

Jony Ive started at Apple in 1992 and was first assigned to Apple’s industrial design group in charge of the second-generation Newton and MessagePad 110. Ive almost quit Apple several times before Steve Jobs convinced him to stay and turn Apple’s fortunes around.

Since then, Ive headed the design team responsible for the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad. With the debut of iOS 7, Ive’s role eventually expanded to include principal design work on iOS.

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