Is Apple losing its design magic? The recent exodus of key designers from the tech giant raises serious questions about its creative future. Just when you thought the tech world couldn’t get any more dramatic, news of Apple’s top talent jumping ship feels like a recurring headline—especially from its AI division, where Meta seems to be doing all the poaching. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: it’s not just any employees leaving; it’s the designers behind some of Apple’s most daring and polarizing projects.
Last month, we reported that Abidur Chowdhury, the mastermind behind the iPhone Air, had departed Apple for an AI startup. And now, in a move that’s turning heads, Alan Dye, the design executive credited with Liquid Glass, has reportedly followed suit. According to CNBC, Dye is headed to—you guessed it—Meta. ‘Today, we’re launching a new creative studio in Reality Labs led by Alan Dye, who has spent nearly two decades shaping design at Apple,’ Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg announced on Threads. ‘This studio will merge design, fashion, and technology to redefine the next wave of products and experiences.’
While tech companies raiding each other’s talent pools isn’t new, the swift departure of designers behind two of Apple’s most debated innovations is hard to ignore. Liquid Glass, for instance, remains a hot topic—loved and loathed in equal measure. And the iPhone Air? Its compromises have left many buyers feeling underwhelmed. What’s striking is that Apple, a company known for standing firmly behind its design choices (remember the ‘courageous’ removal of the iPhone 7’s headphone jack?), seems to be losing its grip on these very principles. These departures hardly scream confidence.
But here’s the part most people miss: From its advertising campaigns to its product lineup, whispers—and sometimes shouts—suggest Apple’s creative edge is dulling. Sure, the company is still making bold moves, but like Jaguar’s controversial rebrand, these moves lack the conviction we’ve come to expect. Is Apple’s design legacy at risk? Or is this just a phase in its evolution?
Controversial take: Could it be that Apple’s design philosophy is no longer resonating with its own creators? Or is Meta simply offering something Apple can’t? Weigh in below—let’s spark a debate. What do you think this means for Apple’s future? And more importantly, where do you stand on these design departures? Agree, disagree, or somewhere in between? Let’s hear it!
Daniel John is Design Editor at Creative Bloq. He covers the intersection of design, branding, and lifestyle tech, reporting from events like Milan Design Week, OFFF Barcelona, and Adobe Max. His interviews with industry leaders at Apple, Microsoft, and Adobe offer unique insights into the creative world. Daniel’s debut book of short stories and poems was published in 2018, and his comedy newsletter is a Substack Bestseller.
