Alan Dye, who has served as Apple’s vice president of Human Interface Design since 2015, is set to leave the company to join Meta. His departure is part of Meta’s ambitious strategy to enhance its consumer devices with AI capabilities. Stephen Lemay, a seasoned designer with 26 years of experience at Apple, has been appointed to succeed Dye, effective December 31.
Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, commented on Lemay’s promotion, highlighting his significant contributions to Apple’s design ethos since 1999. Cook praised Lemay for setting high standards in design excellence and fostering a collaborative and creative culture at Apple. He emphasized the importance of design in Apple’s identity and acknowledged the company’s strong design team currently focused on an innovative product lineup.
Dye’s exit follows recent trends in leadership changes at Apple, including the resignation of John Giannandrea, senior vice president for Machine Learning and AI Strategy, which will take effect in spring 2026. The company has also seen notable departures, such as COO Jeff Williams and CFO Luca Maestri, raising speculation about potential shifts in the leadership structure under Tim Cook.
During his tenure at Apple, Dye’s responsibilities grew significantly following Jony Ive’s departure in 2019. He played a crucial role in several key projects, including the redesign of iOS 26 and the unveiling of the innovative Apple Vision Pro and visionOS.
In addition to Dye’s move, other Apple design talents, including Billy Sorrentino, have reportedly decided to join Meta, signaling a broader pattern of talent migration between the tech giants. This trend highlights the competitive landscape in the tech industry as companies vie for top designers, particularly in the evolving field of AI-powered hardware.
As Meta ramps up its efforts in AI-integrated consumer products, Dye’s expertise will likely prove pivotal in shaping its design direction. This shift opens a new chapter for both Dye and Meta, emphasizing the ongoing transformation within the tech sector as it continues to innovate.