Edward C. Baig

USA TODAY

Published 5:57 PM EDT Jun 27, 2019

The influential designer of numerous Macs, the iPod, iPhone, Apple Watch and other iconic products is leaving Apple after nearly 30 years.

Chief design officer Sir Jony Ive, one of the seminal figures throughout Apple's success, plans to depart later this year to form his own independent design firm LoveFrom.

Apple will become one of the new company's “primary clients.”

“Jony is a singular figure in the design world and his role in Apples revival cannot be overstated, from 1998s 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,” Apples CEO Tim Cook said in a statement. “Apple will continue to benefit from Jonys 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, Im happy that our relationship continues to evolve and I look forward to working with Jony long into the future.”

Apple didnt formally name a successor but indicated that Evans Hankey, who is vice president of industrial design, and Alan Dye, vice president of human interface design, will report to chief operating officer Jeff Williams.

Ives own statement read in part, “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 a