Apple design chief Jony Ive to leave later this year

Longtime Apple design head Jonathan Ive will leave the company later this year and set up his own design shop, with Apple as one of its clients.

Why it matters: Ive has led Apple's product conception efforts for more than two decades and has been involved with nearly all of the company's iconic products, from the iMac to the iPod and iPhone. He is also seen as the Apple executive most closely aligned to the product vision of the late Steve Jobs.

No one will immediately take over Ive's role as chief design officer. When Ive leaves at year-end, design team leaders Evans Hankey, vice president of industrial design, and Alan Dye, vice president of Human Interface design, will report to Apple COO Jeff Williams. Williams, Apple said, will spend more time in Apple's design studio as well.

What they're saying:

• Apple CEO Tim Cook: “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 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."
• Jony Ive: "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."

Go deeper:

• Exclusive interview with Ive (Financial Times)
• What will Apple do without Jony Ive? (FT)
• How Apple literally designs its products around a kitchen table. (AllThingsD)