The active management style differs from that of former CEO Tim Cook, who typically visited the design studios for approximately one hour per month, according to people familiar with the department. Ternus has immersed himself in the studios several times a week and occasionally visits multiple times in a single day to integrate his daily workflow with the designers.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Apple CEO John Ternus Leads Combined Design Teams for First Time in Years
Tech16 days ago
Personal oversight of the workshops where hardware and software are visualized has become a primary focus for the new leader of the iPhone maker. John Ternus has appointed himself the first design chief in several years to oversee both the industrial design and human interface teams at Apple, aiming to restore the studio's standing within the company's corporate hierarchy. By consolidating these departments under his direct control, Ternus is fundamentally shifting how the company's product aesthetics are managed.
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