Meta takes action to poach: Reports say Apple design executive Alan Dye is leaving with his deputy

Meta successfully poached senior design executive Alan Dye from Apple, as the social media giant increases its investment in AI consumer hardware.

On December 3rd, media reports citing informed sources revealed that Dye, who has served as the head of Apple's user interface design team since 2015, has decided to join Meta.

Dye will take on the role of Chief Design Officer at Meta's new design studio starting December 31, fully responsible for the design work of hardware, software, and AI interface integration.

For Apple, this departure exacerbates the talent loss dilemma faced by its acclaimed design team since the departure of design visionary Jony Ive in 2019.

Following the news, the market reacted mildly. On Wednesday, Apple's stock price fell to a daily low, down 0.62% to $284.4. Meta's stock also dropped 0.4%, closing at $644.5.

(Apple's stock price fell to a daily low on Wednesday)

Meta's AI Hardware Ambitions

With Alan Dye's addition, Meta is forming a new design studio, which he will lead.

Dye's core mission will be to leverage artificial intelligence capabilities to completely revolutionize Meta's consumer devices.

Dye will lead the studio, responsible for the interface design of its hardware, software, and AI integration, and will report directly to Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth, who oversees Reality Labs.

Reality Labs is a division of Meta focused on developing wearable devices such as smart glasses and virtual reality headsets.

Additionally, an important deputy of Dye at Apple, Billy Sorrentino, who has served as Senior Director of the design team since 2016, will also join Meta.

Current design leaders at Meta, including Josh To, Jason Rubin, and Peter Bristol, will report to Dye in the future.

Apple's Response

In response, Apple has appointed senior designer Stephen Lemay to succeed Dye. This personnel change has not yet been officially announced.

Apple CEO Tim Cook praised the new appointee in a statement and emphasized the strength of the company's design team. Cook stated:

Since 1999, Steve Lemay has played a key role in the design of every major interface at Apple. He has always set extremely high standards for excellence and embodies Apple's culture of collaboration and innovation.

Cook added:

Design is fundamental to Apple, and today, we have an outstanding design team that is creating the most innovative product lineup in our history.

Key Losses in Apple's Design Team

Alan Dye's departure is a significant loss for Apple.

After Jony Ive left in 2019, Alan Dye played a more important role within Apple, helping to define the look and feel of the company's latest operating systems, applications, and devices.

Dye recently oversaw the user interface design of the Vision Pro headset and led a comprehensive overhaul of Apple's operating systems.

Additionally, he played a key role in the design of Apple applications, the Apple Watch, and the iPhone X. Reports indicate that his team is also assisting in the development of a range of new smart home devices.

Apple is currently facing the departure of several executives.

In addition to Williams and Giannandrea, former hardware chief Dan Riccio also retired last fall. The turnover is expected to continue, with many senior leaders, including CEO Tim Cook, nearing the typical retirement age.

Reports suggest that Apple's chip chief Johny Srouji and environmental affairs chief Lisa Jackson are both evaluating their futures with the company