Apple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive Is Leaving the Company to Form His Own

After spending several decades of building a resume with Apple, Apple’s chief design officer Jony Ive is revealing plans to leave the Cupertino-based company in order to focus on developing his own “independent design” outfit — which will also reportedly work with his now-former employer. Through his new venture, Ive will “continue to work closely and on a range of projects with Apple.”

“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 at any point in Apple’s history,” reads an official explanation from Ive. “The team will certainly thrive under the excellent leadership of Evans, Alan and Jeff, who have been among my closest collaborators. I have the utmost confidence in my designer colleagues at Apple, who remain my closest friends, and I look forward to working with them for many years to come.”

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

In recent related news, Apple also bought an autonomous driving startup earlier this month.