​Jony Ive, Apple’s former SVP of design, is stepping into a more hands-off role at the company in the newly created position of chief design officer.

Ive, who has been with Apple for 20 years, will be able to focus more on design in his new role at Apple and less on administrative tasks, according to 9to5mac. His new role also reportedly allows him more freedom to travel, which includes helping to design Apple’s new campus, which is in progress.

Ive’s responsibilities will focus on the design of user interface, hardware and retail stores around the world. He will hand over day-to-day operations to Richard Howarth, the new VP of industrial design, and Alan Dye, the new VP of user interface design.

Part of Apple CEO Tim Cook’s memo to staff announcing the staff change is below:

“Team,

I have exciting news to share with you today. I am happy to announce that Jony Ive is being promoted to the newly created position of Chief Design Officer at Apple.

Jony is one of the most talented and accomplished designers of his generation, with an astonishing 5000 design and utility patents to his name. His new role is a reflection of the scope of work he has been doing at Apple for some time. Jony’s design responsibilities have expanded from hardware and, more recently, software UI to the look and feel of Apple retail stores, our new campus in Cupertino, product packaging and many other parts of our company.

Design is one of the most important ways we communicate with our customers, and our reputation for world-class design differentiates Apple from every other company in the world. As Chief Design Officer, Jony will remain responsible for all of our design, focusing entirely on current design projects, new ideas and future initiatives. On July 1, he will hand off his day-to-day managerial responsibilities of ID and UI to Richard Howarth, our new vice president of Industrial Design, and Alan Dye, our new vice president of User Interface Design.”

Read more at 9to5mac.

Brief Take: Ive’s new position comes just in time for Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference kicking off June 8. Dare we hope Apple has something big to announce?

[Image courtesy of Apple]

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