Apple CEO John Ternus has taken direct control of the company's design department. Following the retirement of Jeff Williams, who previously oversaw design operations, Ternus has integrated himself into the industrial design and interface management processes.
According to reports from Bloomberg, Ternus visits the design studio multiple times a week, sometimes daily. This represents a significant shift in management style compared to former CEO Tim Cook, who typically spent about an hour per month in the studio.
Ternus is prioritizing the restoration of the design team's influence within Apple, which had waned following the departure of numerous employees. The company is currently hiring external talent and promoting internal staff to rebuild the department.
Apple has not appointed a permanent successor to Jony Ive as Chief Design Officer, and active searching for this specific role has ceased. Instead, Molly Anderson and Steve Lemay have been designated as leads for industrial design and user interface respectively.
Despite the current structure, the need for a unified leader overseeing both hardware and software design remains. By personally involving himself in the studio's daily operations, Ternus has effectively positioned himself as the final decision-maker for Apple's design strategy.
