Apple’s primary successor to Jony Ive is departing. Industrial design director Evans Hankey will leave the company after three years, according to the company. As of this writing, there is no nominated successor.
But Evans Hankey is apparently going to stay on for a transitional period of six months. Alan Dye, who replaced Jony Ive as head of software design in 2019, will continue in that position.
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Apple Head Of Hardware Design Leaving The Company After Three Years!
The shuffle might not be wholly detrimental. According to sources, Gary Butcher, a former top designer at Dye and currently Airbnb’s design VP, is going back to work for Apple. What duties Butcher would assume upon his return is unknown.
According to people with knowledge of the situation, Evans Hankey, head of hardware design at Apple Inc., is leaving the iPhone manufacturer three years after starting her position. This leaves a significant void at the head of a company known for its sleek-looking products.
Evans Hankey was appointed to the position in 2019 to succeed Jony Ive, who served as the organization’s famous design leader for 20 years. Hankey worked for Apple for a number of years under Ive’s direction before accepting her current position as vice president of industrial design.
As of that time, she reports directly to Jeff Williams, the chief operating officer. Hankey made her resignation known this week and stated that she would remain for a period of six months as Apple developed its long-term plans for the industrial design group.
Evans Hankey hasn’t made clear what she plans to do next in public. Designer Richard Howarth filled her position for a brief while from 2015 to 2017. Just three years ago, Hankey took over just after Jony Ive left the business.
Howarth, who is still employed by the business, might be a possibility to succeed Hankey.
The Statement
‘To imagine products that are unmistakably Apple, Apple’s design team brings together expert creatives from around the world and across many disciplines’ a statement from a spokesperson read.
‘The senior design team is led by capable, experienced individuals. We would want to thank Evans for her leadership and accomplishments and she plans to stay on as we work through the transition.’
The Announcement Of Departure
Evans Hankey announced her departure this week and promised to stay on for another six months as Apple created its long-term plans for the industrial design division. What she intends to do next has not been made public by her.
Evans Hankey’s role was temporarily covered from 2015 to 2017 by designer Richard Howarth. Hankey only took over three years ago, shortly after Jony Ive had left the company. Jony Ive, who worked directly with Apple CEO Tim Cook, was close with Apple’s founder Steve Jobs.
The COO of Apple, Jeff Williams, oversaw Hankey’s work. Hankey collaborated closely with Alan Dye, who oversaw Apple’s software’s appearance and will continue to work there, which broke the news of Hankey’s departure.
Many sources report that Apple has not yet identified a replacement for Hankey, but the company told CNBC in a statement that she will stay on to oversee the transition.
What’s The Future?
It is safe to infer that the incoming head of hardware design will be advancing from another internal design job given that Hankey reported to Jony Ive as a member of the design team before finally taking over the position.
This is a very typical tendency, as Apple frequently hires employees who are already familiar with the company’s procedures to fill its most senior roles rather than hiring people who are entirely new to the organization.
Though doubtful, it’s still conceivable that Apple would explore elsewhere for a successor. We’ll all have to wait till the corporation makes a formal statement.
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