Apple’s long-serving human interface leader, Alan Dye, is set to depart the company and join Meta, marking one of the most notable design exits the iPhone maker has seen in years. Dye, who played a central role in creating Apple’s Liquid Glass UI for the iPhone, iPad, Watch, and VisionOS, is expected to head a newly established design organisation within Meta that will blend hardware, software, and AI-led interface development.

His move comes at a time when Apple is undergoing an extended leadership reshuffle, with several senior executives retiring or preparing to move on.

Taking to his social media handles, Alan Dye reflected on his nearly two-decade journey at Apple. He said, “For almost 20 years, I’ve had the honor of working with extraordinary people who care deeply about the craft of design and the impact it can have. Together, we built things I’ll be proud of for the rest of my life.”

Meta recruits a key Apple designer

According to a report by Bloomberg, Dye will assume the role of Chief Design Officer at Meta on December 31. His responsibilities will include defining the design direction for Meta’s consumer products—such as wearables, smart glasses and immersive devices—while guiding how AI becomes more deeply integrated into their interfaces.

The report also notes that Dye will report directly to Meta’s CTO, Andrew Bosworth, who oversees Reality Labs, the division behind the company’s AR/VR platforms, smart glasses and experimental AI hardware.

A key figure in Apple’s modern interface identity

Dye joined Apple in 2006 as a creative director in marketing and communications before transitioning to interface design. After joining Jony Ive’s influential design team, he played a central role in the dramatic visual overhaul introduced with iOS 7, which helped redefine Apple’s software aesthetic and set the tone for interface design across the industry.

When Ive became Chief Design Officer in 2015, Dye stepped up to lead Apple’s user interface design team, overseeing the visual evolution of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and later visionOS. Under his leadership, Apple maintained the cohesive and refined design language that has long distinguished its platforms.

In recent years, he contributed significantly to the Vision Pro interface and oversaw the Liquid Glass design refresh for iOS 26 and macOS 26, which reimagined Apple’s transparency and motion effects for emerging devices.

Stephen Lemay takes over the design leadership

Apple has confirmed Stephen Lemay as Dye’s successor internally. Lemay, a long-time designer who has worked on nearly every Apple interface since 1999, will now lead Human Interface Design.

In a statement to Bloomberg, CEO Tim Cook praised Lemay as someone who “embodies Apple’s culture of collaboration and creativity,” suggesting the transition has been carefully planned.