Samsung Names New Mobile Design Chief

In June the company will begin sending small monthly checks to Jony Ive.

Ha.

Just kidding.

Mostly.

Anyway, here’s the story:

Samsung Electronics named a new head of mobile design, a move it described as a “realignment” that frees up the current head to pursue long-term design strategy across all of the company’s businesses.

In an emailed statement, Samsung said Lee Min-hyouk, a vice president, will now lead Samsung’s mobile design team. The previous occupant of that role, Chang Dong-hoon, an executive vice president, will “focus more on his role as head of design strategy team,” which oversees long-term design strategy across all of the company’s businesses spanning mobile phones to home appliances and televisions.

Lee, 42 years old, designed Samsung’s Galaxy S3 smartphone. The design team is part of the mobile business and final say on smartphone designs ultimately lies with Samsung co-chief executive J.K. Shin.

Lee replaces Samsung’s former mobile design chief, Carbon Xerox Mimeograph III.