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iPhone designer Jony Ive removed from Apple's leadership page as he leaves company

Ives' plan to depart was announced in June.

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Jony Ive (right, with CEO Tim Cook) has seemingly left Apple.

James Martin/CNET

Apple chief designer Jony Ive appears to have left the company, with the removal of his profile from its leadership page. His plan to depart was revealed back in June.

Ives' focus will shift to his own design firm, LoveFrom, along with long-term collaborator Marc Newson (who joined Apple's design team in 2014 -- the pair designed an all-diamond ring together last year). Apple will be a primary client.

"Apple will continue to benefit from Jony's talents by working directly with him on exclusive projects, and through the ongoing work of the brilliant and passionate design team he has built," Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a press release when Ives' plan was announced.

Watch this: Jony Ive designed a crazy all-diamond ring

The designer had been a full-time Apple employee since 1992, and helped in the company's comeback after co-founder Steve Jobs returned in 1997. Ives designed some of Apple's most iconic devices, which included the iPhone and iMac, and played a role in projects like iOS 7 and Apple Park.

As of early Thursday, his profile was still on Apple's investor relations page. The company declined to add further comment about Ives' departure.

First published at 2:31 a.m. PT.
Updated at 3:02 a.m. PT: Adds more detail.

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