Incoming Apple CEO John Ternus Seen as Potential Catalyst for Design Revival

Apple is set to get a new chief executive on September 1, and the leadership transition could provide a boost to the company's renowned industrial design team.

Apple's incoming CEO John Ternus is reportedly preparing changes aimed at strengthening the company's design culture. (Photo: Apple)

Tim Cook's successor, John Ternus, comes from Apple's product engineering and design organization and reportedly believes a significant design overhaul is needed, according to a Bloomberg report cited by Fortune Tech.

Ternus is reportedly "getting ready to put his firm imprint on the team" and has spent "a considerable amount of time" with Apple's industrial designers.

Apple's design culture began to change after Jony Ive stepped away from day-to-day management of the design organization in 2015 to become the company's chief design officer.

Critics argue that subsequent organizational changes under Cook resulted in the design function reporting through operational structures, reducing its influence within the company and contributing to declining morale and talent departures.

"Without the depth of leadership, authority or talent density that once made it the envy of the industry, there have been clear consequences for the company's products," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman wrote.

"While Apple has continued updating devices like clockwork, the pace of new designs, innovation and major new features has slowed."

Ternus reportedly reassured employees during a recent meeting that Apple would continue prioritizing design."Apple's brought truly incredible design to more people than any company in history," he reportedly said.

"We're going to make sure that stays the case."