Key Apple Designer Behind iPhone Air Departs for AI Startup

A prominent Apple designer has left the company. Abidur Chowdhury, who presented the iPhone Air in September, recently departed. He joined an artificial intelligence startup. His exit created internal waves at Apple.

According to Bloomberg, Chowdhury was a rising star on the industrial design team. His departure is not linked to the iPhone Air’s market performance. This move continues a trend of design talent leaving Apple.

Apple’s Design Team Faces Continued Transition

Chowdhury joined Apple in 2019. That was the same year legendary designer Jony Ive departed. Since Ive’s exit, several senior designers have followed him out the door. Others have moved to different companies entirely.

Very few designers who worked directly under Ive remain at Apple. The team has seen a significant transformation over six years. This represents a major shift from the company’s historic design leadership.

Leadership Shake-Up Adds to Design Uncertainty

The design team’s management is also changing. Former operations chief Jeff Williams had overseen product design since 2023. Williams retired from Apple just last week. This adds another layer of transition for the team.

Apple’s design team will now report directly to CEO Tim Cook. This centralizes leadership during a period of change. The long-term impact on future Apple products remains unclear.

The departure of this key Apple designer marks another pivotal moment for the company’s iconic design team. This Apple designer departure highlights the ongoing evolution of the team responsible for shaping the look and feel of the world’s most popular gadgets.

Thought you’d like to know

Who is Abidur Chowdhury?

He was a rising star on Apple’s industrial design team. Chowdhury famously presented the iPhone Air at its launch event. He joined Apple in 2019 before recently leaving for an AI startup.

Why did the Apple designer leave?

Reports indicate he left to pursue an opportunity at an artificial intelligence startup. The departure was not related to the iPhone Air’s sales performance. It was described as a personal career move.

How many designers have left Apple since Jony Ive?

Apple has lost several high-profile designers over the last six years. Very few designers who worked under Ive remain at the company. This represents a significant generational shift in the design team.

Who leads Apple’s design team now?

The team will now report directly to CEO Tim Cook. This follows the recent retirement of Jeff Williams, who had been overseeing the team. The change centralizes design leadership under Cook.

What does this mean for future Apple products?

It is too early to predict the long-term impact on product design. The team continues to operate with new leadership and fresh talent. Apple’s design philosophy typically evolves gradually over time.