Jonathan Ayve hasn’t left Apple yet. According to available data, this will happen later this year. However, experts are already beginning to think about who will be able to replace Ava as chief designer. Some believe that the most likely candidate is Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer.
Jeff Williams has been Apple’s chief operating officer since 2015. Prior to that, he was actively involved in the development of the first apple smartwatch. Company employees note that Williams pays a lot of attention to the philosophy of the product. Jonathan Ayve takes the same approach.
Prior to the Apple smartwatch, Jeff Williams was also involved in the development of the iPhone 4. Sources note that for quite a long time he went with a prototype of the “four” to find out which materials are better suited for the body of the new device.
According to the journalists of The Wall Street Journal, in recent years Jeff Williams has shown an interest in the design, philosophy and positioning of new apple products. Some experts even point out that Apple’s chief operating officer is much more interested in new products than Tim Cook, who is more interested in financial performance than the feel and impressions of the company’s products.
At this stage, it is Williams who has been chosen by Apple’s management for the role of interim Jonathan Ibe. He is also assisted by Apple’s Vice President of Industrial Design Evans Hankey and Vice President of Interface Design Alan Dye. However, it is possible that in the future Williams will take the place of Apple’s chief designer.
