The designer of the iPhone Jony Ive (pictured, left, with Apple CEO Tim Cook) has left Apple after 27 years at the company.

When Apple's iPhone arrived in 2008, it changed the games industry in myriad ways. Mobile gaming was nothing new at that time, of course. And neither was free gaming. Even the smartphone had been preempted by PDAs like the PalmPilot and Apple's own Newton throughout the 1990s.

But when the iPhone arrived, it came at a time when computing power and download speeds made contemporary mobile gaming both accessible and possible. It introduced a meticulously thought-through blend of operating system and store infrastructure. And as it arrived Apple courted the games industry with precision.

It went on to cause a significant shift in the development, publication and monetisation of games, and triggered a ripple that had a profound impact as it swept through the games industry.

As such, Ive - who also lead design on the iMac and the iPod - has had tremendous role in influencing the shape of the modern games industry. He didn't do it alone - or even directly - but the device he designed has had a profound effect on games, technology broadly, and beyond.

“Jony is a singular figure in the design world and his role in Apple’s revival cannot be overstated, from 1998’s groundbreaking iMac to the iPhone and the unprecedented ambition of Apple Park, where recently he has been putting so much of his energy and care,” said Cook, in a statement to the press. “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. After so many years working closely together, I’m happy that our relationship continues to evolve and I look forward to working with Jony long into the future.”

Ive will step down as Apple's chief creative officer later this year, founding his own design company, which Apple has already revealed itself to be a client of.

Going forward Apple's design team leaders Evans Hankey, vice president of Industrial Design, and Alan Dye, vice president of Human Interface Design, will report to  Apple’s chief operating officer, Jeff Williams.

“After nearly 30 years and countless projects, I am most proud of the lasting work we have done to create a design team, process and culture at Apple that is without peer. Today it is stronger, more vibrant and more talented than at any point in Apple’s history,” said Ive. “The team will certainly thrive under the excellent leadership of Evans, Alan and Jeff, who have been among my closest collaborators. I have the utmost confidence in my designer colleagues at Apple, who remain my closest friends, and I look forward to working with them for many years to come.”