After a two year absence, Apple’s Chief Design Officer Jony Ive is returning to his roots by rejoining the management role of the design group. Ive vacated the position in 2015 to focus on other duties like the completion of Apple Park.
A spokesperson for Apple stated “With the completion of Apple Park, Apple’s design leaders and teams are again reporting directly to Jony Ive, who remains focused purely on design.” On the other end of the spectrum, it looks like the two that were filling in for Ive, Alan Dye, who was vice president of user interface design and Richard Howarth, who was the vice president of industrial design, are no longer listed on Apple"s leadership page.
While it is uncertain what this means at this point in time, the return of Ive could signify a shift for Apple, looking to regain some of the design glory it reaped in its early days. Many have been critical of the firm"s latest creations, from the physical design to the software itself.
Will Jony Ive be able to bring innovation back to Apple and rejuvenate the company"s somewhat lackluster designs?
Source: Mark Gurman via 9to5Mac | Image via Wallpaper*