In another blow to Apple’s once-vaunted design team, veteran designer Duncan Kerr has reportedly left the company after 25 years. Kerr’s departure marks the latest in a string of high-profile exits from the team, following the departure of Bart Andre in February 2024.
Kerr, who joined Apple in 1999, was instrumental in the development of several generations of iPhones, iPads, and Macs. He was part of the core design team that worked closely with Steve Jobs and Jony Ive, and his contributions to Apple’s products have been widely recognized.
The reasons for Kerr’s departure are not yet clear, but his exit comes at a time of significant change for Apple’s design team. Since Jony Ive left Apple in 2019, several key designers have followed suit, including Jody Akana, Anthony Ashcroft, Jeremy Bataillou, Joe Tan, Eugene Whang, and Andrea Williams.
Some reports suggest that the departures are due to a sense of unease among some designers following recent leadership changes at Apple. Jeff Williams, Apple’s COO, has reportedly taken a more hands-on role in overseeing the design team, and there have been cost-cutting measures that have reportedly caused some concern.
Additionally, there have been rumors that Apple has been scaling back on its exploratory design projects, which were a hallmark of Jony Ive’s tenure. However, it is also worth noting that some designers who have been with Apple for over 25 years are likely simply retiring due to age.
Some members of the original Jony Ive-era design team have left Apple to join LoveFrom, Jony Ive’s new design firm. However, a few key members of the team remain at Apple, including Richard Howarth, Ben Schaffer, and Molly Anderson.
The departure of Duncan Kerr is a significant loss for Apple’s design team, and it remains to be seen how the company will fill the void left by his departure. Only time will tell whether Apple can regain its design mojo and continue to produce innovative and iconic products.
