An aerial view of Apple Park is seen in Cupertino, California, United States on October 28, 2021.
Tayfun Coskun | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
Apple’s vice president of industrial design, Evans Hankey, is leaving the company, Apple confirmed to CNBC on Friday.
Hankey took over from former Apple design chief Jony Ive three years ago when he left to start his own independent company. Hankey is responsible for much of Apple’s industrial design work, from the appearance of the company’s hardware to the methods used to manufacture them in bulk.
She was never more recognized as Ive, who is known in Apple lore as one of the key figures behind the introduction of the iMac, iPod and iPhone. Still, she was often quoted in the media after new products were launched, discussing specific design decisions and the way Apple’s design team works.
Ive had a close relationship with Apple founder Steve Jobs and reported directly to Apple CEO Tim Cook. Hankey reported to Jeff Williams, Apple’s COO.
Hankey worked closely with Alan Dye, who was responsible for the appearance of Apple’s software and who will remain with the company, according to Bloomberg News, which first reported Hankey’s departure.
Apple has not named a replacement for Hankey, according to Bloomberg News, but the company told CNBC in a statement that it will remain with the company to manage the transition.
“Apple’s design team brings together expert creatives from around the world and from many disciplines to create products that are undeniably Apple. The senior design team has strong leaders with decades of experience. Evans plans to stay on as we move through the transition work, and we’d like to “I would like to thank her for her leadership and contributions,” an Apple representative said in a statement.
Shares of Apple rose about 2% on Friday afternoon.