Apple Looking to Nearly Double Headcount of In-House Creative Design Team

Apple is reportedly looking to nearly double the size of its in-house creative design team, seeking to bolster its brand image with new advertising content from dedicated designers, according to a report from Ad Age.

Longtime observers say after years of capping the size and type of internal creative talent, the tech giant is significantly expanding its in-house design group. One executive familiar with the company said the group could grow to 500 or 600 staffers from about 300. [...]

[I]t is now seeking talent to work on the brand itself and wants to bulk up its ranks of high-level creative directors and heads of innovation. As part of its recruiting efforts, Apple has approached senior creatives known for innovative work.

The report notes that Apple plans to continue working with its outside ad agency partners, but that it is boosting its internal team to help with such website design, video tutorials, and more.

designed_by_apple_in_ca
Ad Age also suggests that Apple faces some challenges in recruiting creative designers, given the company's distance from the San Francisco advertising community as well as potential concerns about designers feeling limited in working with a single client that so closely defines its own advertising messages.

Aside from its own advertising efforts, Apple has also been boosting its iAd team in recent weeks and months in order to support the launch of the company's ad-supported iTunes Radio service in the coming weeks. The iAd team not only serves as account managers but also works closely with advertisers in some cases to help them develop effective ads for Apple's various ad services.

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
imac video apple feature

Apple Makes Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
maxresdefault

M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro Launch Imminent as Reseller Stock Dwindles

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:12 pm PST by
New M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models are slated to launch in the near future, according to information shared with MacRumors by an Apple Premium Reseller. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The third-party Apple retailer said that MacBook Pro stock is very low currently because there is an imminent new product introduction. Apple typically coordinates supply with...

Top Rated Comments

FlatlinerG Avatar
162 months ago
Am I the only one that doesn't see this as a positive thing?..
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
attila Avatar
162 months ago
So what happened to the good designers (who designed everything prior to iOS7)?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
argybargy Avatar
162 months ago
Double a lot of teams

Perhaps they could double their Mac Pro Design Team? Or their iOS icon design team? Or, really, anything but marketing. Apple's products used to be their own marketing and advertising.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
musika Avatar
162 months ago
Yay!

Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
talmy Avatar
162 months ago
Apple needs to double the size of their technical design teams, not marketing! Marketing doesn't "create" anything.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jsameds Avatar
162 months ago
More computery & functionny, and less trash canny & thinny on your desktop machines please.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)