Bart Andre, Apple Inc.’s senior industrial designer who joined the company in 1992 alongside Jony Ive, has announced his retirement, according to sources familiar with the matter. This departure marks the near-complete turnover of the design team that was once led by Ive, a prominent figure in Apple’s history.
Andre, known as one of Ive’s top lieutenants, played a significant role in shaping the aesthetics of Apple products released over the past three decades.
The departure of Andre is part of a larger trend within the design team. Towards the end of last year, top designers Colin Burns, Shota Aoyagi, and Peter Russell-Clarke also left the group. Currently, the team is being managed by Jeff Williams, Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, rather than a designer. However, this operational approach has led to some discontent among staff, who feel that having an operations person oversee a division dedicated to design and innovation is not ideal.
Under Ive’s leadership, the design team was known for its willingness to embark on exploratory and innovative projects, even if they did not immediately yield profits. However, since Ive’s departure in 2019, there has been a shift towards more cost-cutting measures and an emphasis on immediate returns. This change in direction has led to unrest among some team members.
The current design team now comprises only a few longstanding designers, including Richard Howarth, Molly Anderson, and Duncan Kerr. Interestingly, the talent outflow from Apple has been advantageous for Ive’s current venture, LoveFrom, as it has attracted several former Apple designers.
As Apple adjusts to these changes, it remains to be seen how the design team’s dynamic will evolve under the guidance of Jeff Williams. The departure of Bart Andre signifies the end of an era at Apple, but also opens up new possibilities for innovation and design at the tech giant.
Questions and answers based on the main topics and information presented in the article:
1. Who announced their retirement at Apple Inc.?
Bart Andre, a senior industrial designer at Apple Inc., announced his retirement.
2. When did Bart Andre join Apple?
Bart Andre joined Apple in 1992.
3. What role did Bart Andre play in shaping the aesthetics of Apple products?
Bart Andre played a significant role in shaping the aesthetics of Apple products released over the past three decades.
4. Which other key people from the design team have also left?
At the end of last year, Colin Burns, Shota Aoyagi, and Peter Russell-Clarke also left the design team.
5. Who currently manages the design team?
The design team is currently managed by Jeff Williams, Apple’s Chief Operating Officer.
6. What changes have occurred in the design team since Jony Ive’s departure?
Since Jony Ive’s departure, there has been a shift towards more cost-cutting measures and an emphasis on immediate returns, which has caused unrest among some team members.
7. Who are the current members of Apple’s design team?
The current design team consists of only a few longstanding designers, including Richard Howarth, Molly Anderson, and Duncan Kerr.
8. What are the benefits of the designers’ departure from Apple for LoveFrom (Jony Ive’s company)?
The departure of designers from Apple has been advantageous for LoveFrom, as it has attracted several former Apple designers.
9. Who is currently responsible for the design team at Apple?
The design team is currently managed by Jeff Williams, Apple’s Chief Operating Officer.
10. What does Bart Andre’s departure mean for Apple?
Bart Andre’s departure signifies the end of an era at Apple, but also opens up new possibilities for innovation and design at the company.
Definitions of key terms and jargon used in the article:
– senior industrial designer: an experienced designer specializing in industrial products
– turnover: the rate at which employees leave a company and are replaced
– aesthetics: the principles of beauty and taste in design
– operational approach: a method of managing a team or division
– unrest: dissatisfaction or discontent among team members
– talent outflow: the departure of talented individuals from a company
– venture: a new business or project
– innovation: the introduction of new ideas or methods
– tech giant: a large and influential technology company
Suggested related links to the main domain (not subpages):
– Apple’s homepage