Apple is losing a design visionary as Alan Dye transitions to Meta’s creative hub. Dye has been Apple’s chief of user interface design since 2015 and spent nearly 20 years with the company. He will officially join Meta on December 31st to lead a newly established creative studio within Reality Labs.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the hiring on Threads, detailing plans for a studio that combines design, fashion, and technology. Apple confirmed Dye’s departure, with CEO Tim Cook naming veteran designer Stephen Lemay as his replacement. This represents a significant shift in both companies’ creative leadership structures.
The new studio will focus on elevating design standards across Meta’s product ecosystem. Zuckerberg emphasized that the team will include talented individuals with exceptional skills across multiple disciplines. The objective is to create iconic products that seamlessly integrate hardware and software while delivering intuitive user experiences.
Zuckerberg outlined his vision for an era where AI glasses and other innovative devices will transform connectivity. He stressed that the new studio will focus on ensuring that every interaction is thoughtfully designed and meaningful. Dye will report directly to Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s Chief Technology Officer, underscoring the strategic importance of this appointment. This transition demonstrates Meta’s aggressive pursuit of design talent as it competes to define the future of technology.