A paradigm shift is occurring as Alan Dye leaves Apple to embrace Meta’s creative challenge. 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 focused on merging design, fashion, and technology. Apple confirmed Dye’s departure, with CEO Tim Cook naming veteran designer Stephen Lemay as his replacement. This represents a fundamental shift in the competitive landscape.
The new studio will be tasked with elevating design standards across Meta’s organization. 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 thoughtful 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 meaningful and user-centric. Dye will report directly to Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s Chief Technology Officer, reflecting the strategic importance of this role. This paradigm shift demonstrates how design leadership is evolving across the tech industry.