There’s been a lot of talk about HTC and design lately as people debate HTC’s decision to reuse much of the One M8’s look on its new One M9. Now those talks about HTC and design are continuing, but they’re focused on an important person within the company.
Jonah Becker, who was HTC’s VP of Industrial Design, is leaving HTC. Becker announced the news on Twitter, saying that “it’s been an amazing seventeen year journey” with HTC, but that it’s time for him to start on something new. Becker had worked with design company One & Co when it was acquired by HTC in 2008, and less than one year ago, he took over for fellow designed Scott Croyle when Croyle decided to depart from HTC.
HTC confirmed Becker’s departure in a statement to Engadget:
We can confirm that Jonah Becker has left HTC; he had been with the Company since HTC acquired One & Co over six years ago. We would like to thank Jonah for his work with HTC, and wish him all the best in his future endeavours. He has been succeeded by Daniel Hundt, based in our San Francisco design office.
It was almost one year ago that Scott Croyle, HTC’s then-head of hardware design, left the company. Exactly why Jonah Becker has decide to leave as well isn’t know, but Engadget has head that there’s a growing power struggle between HTC’s design and sales teams. It’s also worth noting that HTC recently got itself a new CEO, with former CEO Peter Chou moving to a product development role in the company. For HTC’s sake, here’s to hoping that all of these executive shake-ups come to an end soon.
