Apples head of UI design leaves for Meta
In a significant shift within the tech industry, Alan Dye, Apple’s head of User Interface (UI) design, has announced his departure to join Meta, as reported by Bloomberg. Dye has been a pivotal figure at Apple since 2015, leading the UI design team through numerous significant updates across the company’s platforms, including the launch of iOS 9 and macOS 9. Over his tenure, he has overseen the evolution of these operating systems, contributing to ten iterations of each, which have shaped the user experience for millions of Apple users worldwide. His expertise in design and innovation has been instrumental in maintaining Apple’s reputation for high-quality and user-friendly interfaces.
Dye’s new role at Meta will see him heading the design for hardware, software, and AI integration within a newly established design studio in the company’s Reality Labs division. This studio aims to merge design with fashion and technology, creating the next generation of products and experiences, a vision articulated by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. In a statement to Bloomberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed Dye’s departure and announced that Stephen Lemay, a long-standing Apple designer with a history of excellence since 1999, will take over Dye’s responsibilities. This transition comes at a critical juncture for Apple, as the company is rumored to be developing its first foldable iPhone, a project that will likely necessitate a substantial redesign of the iOS interface.
Dye’s exit is part of a broader trend of high-profile departures from Apple, with other key figures like COO Jeff Williams and AI chief John Giannandrea also stepping down recently. This wave of leadership changes raises questions about the future direction of Apple’s design philosophy and its ability to innovate in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. As Dye joins Meta, he will bring his extensive experience to a company that is increasingly focused on the intersection of augmented reality and user experience, positioning him to influence the future of digital interaction in profound ways. The tech community will be closely watching how these leadership shifts impact both Apple and Meta as they navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.
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Apple
‘s head of UI design and long-time executive Alan Dye has left Apple to join Meta,
Bloomberg reported
on Wednesday.
Dye has been the head of Apple’s UI design team since 2015, having overseen numerous major launches. For example, in 2015 the OS versions across Apple’s major platforms were iOS 9 and macOS 9; we’ve seen ten iterations of each platform since.
According to the report, Dye will now be head of design for hardware, software and AI integration at Meta’s freshly created design studio.
Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed the news to Bloomberg, and said that his replacement will be long-time Apple designer Stephen Lemay.
“Steve Lemay has played a key role in the design of every major Apple interface since 1999. He has always set an extraordinarily high bar for excellence and embodies Apple’s culture of collaboration and creativity,” Cook said in a statement.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the creation of a “new creative studio in Reality Labs” which will be led by Alan Dye.
“The new studio will bring together design, fashion, and technology to define the next generation of our products and experiences,” he wrote.
Zuckerberg also said Apple designer Billy Sorrentino will also be coming to Meta and joining Dye’s team.
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Dye leaves Apple at a particularly sensitive time. The company is rumored to be working on a
foldable iPhone
, the first such product for Apple, which will surely require a significant revamp of the iOS user interface.
Dye’s departure follows several other high-profile executive exits from Apple. The company COO Jeff WIlliams retired in November, and Apple’s AI chief John Giannandrea announced his departure last week.
