Apple’s incoming CEO John Ternus is set to make big changes when he takes over on September 1, 2026. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, his first major move will be to rebuild Apple’s design studio, which has lost much of its influence in recent years.
During its heyday, the design team shaped every major product. Currently, it functions more as a support unit, handling tasks quickly but without the same creative authority.
The group also saw a wave of departures, including nearly all of Jony Ive’s key designers. Among them was Alan Dye, Apple’s former head of user interface, who left for Meta in late 2025.
Ternus wants to put design back at the center of Apple’s strategy. His plan is to give the studio a stronger voice at the executive level and push for bolder aesthetic decisions, moving away from the slow, incremental updates of recent years.
This reset aligns with Apple’s hardware roadmap through 2027. The lineup includes a redesigned 20th anniversary iPhone and a thinner MacBook Ultra, both meant to showcase the return of design‑led innovation.
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With Tim Cook stepping into the role of Executive Chairman, Ternus is positioning design as Apple’s identity once again. His goal is clear: steer Apple away from tech for its own sake and bring back products defined by design.
