On November 18, word got out that Abidur Chowdhury, Apple's renowned designer who played a pivotal role in the creation of the iPhone Air and even made an appearance in its launch video, has recently bid farewell to Apple and joined an artificial intelligence startup. In the tech - industry context, a star designer like Chowdhury leaving a giant like Apple is a significant event. Inside sources reveal that due to his growing prominence within the design team, his exit has stirred up widespread concerns within the company. Chowdhury first joined Apple in 2019. During his tenure, he was not just involved in marketing promotions but also took the helm as the lead designer for the iPhone Air. In the English - speaking business world, when a key figure leaves a project or a company, it's often seen as a potential turning point. Although his departure has no direct connection to the initial roll - out of the iPhone Air, the Apple design team has recently witnessed a series of personnel shake - ups. For instance, Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams has also left the company.