John Ternus Set to Put His Own Imprint on Apple's Design Team [Report]

Incoming Apple CEO John Ternus is getting ready to put his own imprint on Apple's industrial design team, according to a new report from Mark Gurman.



Ternus, who takes over for Tim Cook on September 1, is inheriting a division that once sat at the center of Apple's product development efforts but has seen its influence diminish in recent years.


The shift began after Jony Ive stepped back from day-to-day management in 2015 and later left Apple in 2019. Since then, the company has experienced a string of leadership changes and high-profile departures, including former industrial design chief Evans Hankey and human interface design chief Alan Dye.

The report details how the group's role evolved under former Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams, who retired earlier this year. Rather than maintaining a direct presence at Apple's executive table, the design organization was folded into Williams' operations structure, a move that coincided with years of talent departures and declining influence within the company.

Ternus has already spent significant time with the industrial design group. Gurman reports that he believes "a major design shake-up is needed" and is preparing to put his own stamp on the team as he assumes leadership of Apple.

The renewed focus comes as the company works to retain key talent amid growing competition from rivals. Apple recently offered substantial retention bonuses to some members of its design organization following recruiting efforts by OpenAI and Jony Ive's independent hardware venture. With Molly Anderson and Steve Lemay now leading Apple's industrial and software design teams, attention is turning to how Ternus will reshape the organization and what role design will play in the company's next chapter.


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