Meta Lands Apple Design Led Alan Dye, Architect of ‘Liquid glass’ Aesthetic
CUPERTINO, CA – December 4, 2023 – Meta has recruited Alan Dye, a veteran Apple design executive instrumental in shaping the visual language of iOS and responsible for introducing the “liquid glass” aesthetic, according to multiple reports confirmed today. Dye’s departure from Apple marks a notable shift in the tech landscape and signals Meta’s continued investment in hardware and immersive experiences.
Dye’s move to Meta, effective in early 2024, arrives as the company intensifies its focus on virtual and augmented reality, spearheaded by the Quest line of VR headsets and ongoing development of AR glasses. His expertise in creating fluid, intuitive user interfaces will be critical as meta strives to build compelling hardware and software ecosystems. The acquisition underscores Meta’s ambition to rival Apple’s design prowess and establish itself as a leader in the next generation of computing.
Dye spent over two decades at Apple, rising to become a Vice President of Human Interface within the company’s design team. He was a key figure in the evolution of iOS, contributing to the operating system’s signature look and feel. His work on “liquid glass,” also known as “neumorphism,” introduced a soft, three-dimensional aesthetic that influenced design trends across the industry.
While the specifics of Dye’s role at Meta remain undisclosed, industry analysts anticipate he will play a central role in the design of future Meta devices and platforms. This includes not only the visual interface but also the overall user experience, aiming to create more seamless and engaging interactions within the metaverse and beyond. The move is widely seen as a coup for Meta, bolstering its design capabilities as it navigates an increasingly competitive market.
