Sebastiaan de With, the co-founder and lead designer of the award-winning camera app Halide, has announced he is joining Apple’s Human Interface Design team.
The news marks a significant “homecoming” for the Dutch designer. While many know him as the creative force behind Lux Optics, the studio that gave us the popular Halide camera app, this isn’t his first time at 1 Infinite Loop (or Apple Park).
Early in his career, de With worked as a designer for Apple on several foundational projects. If you remember the early days of iCloud, MobileMe, or the original Find My app, you’ve likely interacted with his work. Since leaving Apple years ago, he built an incredible reputation as an independent developer.
His studio, Lux, became a gold standard for what a professional iPhone app should look like. Halide didn’t just take photos; it felt like a precision tool. Its “tactile” interface, using haptics and thoughtful layouts to mimic a real Leica or DSLR, is widely considered some of the best design work in the App Store’s history.
The timing of this hire is especially interesting. Apple’s design leadership has seen some major shifts recently. With longtime Human Interface chief Alan Dye recently departing for Meta, and veteran Stephen Lemay stepping in, the team is in a period of evolution.
By bringing de With back into the fold, Apple is gaining a designer who deeply understands how to bridge the gap between complex professional features and simple, beautiful interfaces. For years, iPhone power users have complained that the stock Camera app has become cluttered and confusing. Having the mind behind Halide working on internal Apple designs could mean a more intuitive experience for all of us in future versions of iOS.
For those who rely on Halide for their photography, there is no need to worry. The team at Lux Optics has been quick to reassure users that the app isn’t going anywhere. In fact, the announcement coincided with the launch of the Halide Mark III public preview.
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