Alan Dye's departure is causing a stir in Apple's design world. After many years, the chief user interface designer is leaving the company to join Meta. His departure comes at a time when Apple is heavily focused on new platforms and design languages. For Meta, his appointment represents an important step in advancing its own hardware strategy.
Design plays a central role at Apple. Many of the modern interfaces that characterize Apple devices bear Alan Dye's signature. His departure therefore carries weight. At the same time, Apple is emphasizing continuity and handing over the reins of UI design to an experienced internal successor. Meta, in turn, is strengthening its efforts in consumer hardware and AI-powered devices with Dye's appointment.
Alan Dye's journey at Apple
Alan Dye joined Apple in 2006, initially working as Creative Director in the marketing and communications team. In 2012, he moved to Jony Ive's User Interface Team and became part of a fundamental transformation, as this was the time when iOS 7 was developed. The drastically redesigned interface ushered in a new era of visual language at Apple.
Starting in 2015, Dye took over the leadership of all UI design after Jony Ive became Chief Design Officer. Under his leadership, Apple continuously developed the user interfaces for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and visionOS. Recent projects include work on the Vision Pro interface and the introduction of the redesigned Liquid Glass interface, which forms the basis for iOS 26 and macOS 26.
Apple is committed to continuity with Stephen Lemay.
Dye will be replaced by Stephen Lemay. Lemay has been with Apple for more than 25 years and has contributed to all major Apple user interfaces since 1999. In a statement, Tim Cook praised Lemay's high standards and his close connection to the company's creative culture.
This decision demonstrates how important a stable and experienced design team is to Apple. Especially now, as Apple continues to expand products like Vision Pro and integrate new AI features, a reliable design direction remains crucial.
Dye's new path at Meta
On December 31st, Alan Dye will assume his new role as Chief Design Officer at Meta. He will lead a new design studio and drive hardware and software development. The focus will be on devices such as headsets and glasses, which will be more closely integrated with AI features.
This move underscores how seriously Meta is taking its expansion in the consumer hardware market. With Dye, Meta gains a designer who not only shapes visual details but can also design entire interface systems. His experience at Apple is likely to significantly influence the development of new Meta devices.
Significance for Apple
Even though Dye's departure is a loss, Apple remains well-positioned with Stephen Lemay at the helm. Lemay knows the products, the teams, and the development processes that define Apple. Looking ahead, however, the question remains how strongly Apple will continue the Liquid Glass design pioneered by Dye, or whether new directions will emerge.
The move could also intensify competition between Apple and Meta. Both companies are investing heavily in mixed reality, AI, and new hardware formats. Dye's expertise could help Meta close the gap with Apple.
A turning point for Apple and Meta
The departure of Alan Dye marks a significant turning point for Apple. A designer who shaped key software interfaces for many years is now building Meta's design strategy. Apple is placing its trust in Stephen Lemay, an experienced successor, while Meta is focusing on fresh ideas. For both companies, this marks the beginning of a new phase in which design once again plays a pivotal role. (Image: Shutterstock / NorthSky Films)
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